The Dallas Paleontological Society was founded in 1984 for the purpose of promoting interest in and knowledge of the science of paleontology. It was intended by the founding members that the Society would be a network for the exchange of data between professionals and serious amateurs in this field.
Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 10Paleo-American Honey Bees DPS met on April 10th, at 7PM Central time, in the Boonesville Auditorium (Room 125) of the Ellison Miles Building (Bldg H) at Brookhaven Campus of Dallas College (3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch). We had 36 people in attendance for this meeting. Ryan Giesecke, Texas Master Beekeeper, spoke on “Paleo-American Honey Bees”. Apis nearctica, an extinct North American honey bee, is known by a single fossil specimen from the Miocene (~13 Ma). Ryan will discuss what we think we know about this species, its origin, migration, and evolution. He will then explore some pre-historic and historic stressors that may have played a role in its extinction. Along the way we will learn about modern bees, consider the implications of the infrequency of insect fossilization, and of course look at bee fossils, including trace fossils, body fossils, and bees in amber. We also had 21 people online at our ZOOM meeting for this April program.
Also, Venanzio Munyaka of Baylor accepted his DPS scholarship check and tell us about his research under Dr. Dan Peppe, on the Miocene primate habitat of East Africa. DPS meetings are always free and open to the public. PIT Crew (Paleontologists in Training) is BACK!!
DPS Officers for 2024The officers for 2024 are: Vice President: Joe O'Neil mailto:vp@dallaspaleo.org Fossil Record Editor Bill Weaver mailto:editor@dallaspaleo.org Secretary: Dana Baggott mailto:secretary@dallaspaleo.org Treasurer Pam (Paul) Lowers mailto:treasurer@dallaspaleo.org Fossil Bits and PiecesThe DPS offers extra benefits for Members. Types of Memberships and costs of each can be found under MEMBERSHIP choice in the menu bar, then New Member Online Application. Below is a list of what Members receive and the reasons you should plan to join (or re-join) us in our paleo adventures! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Newsletter: The Fossil Record, the Society’s monthly newsletter, is sent to all members. Volunteerism: Volunteer opportunities to work the DPS booths provides community outreach, interaction with the public, and occasionally free entry to an event. We need volunteers for all committees (to see our list of committees, click here) and activities. Special Events: Members receive Eblasts on surprise events and reminders of upcoming events. DPS Website: Current members have access to the Members only section of the DPS website, which includes the Membership Directory, past newsletters, and more. Field Trips: Some field trips have limited access (quarries, Oklahoma trilobites, etc.), and some field trips are designated members-only. Excavations: Participation in Fossil Bureau of Investigation (FBI) excavations. Discounts: Fossil prep kits, display items, books, and other unique items are occasionally offered at a discount to members. Occasional Papers: Each Occasional Papers is a collection of in-depth articles on paleontology written by members. One copy per membership is free to members for a limited time immediately following publication. Past Occasional Papers are available for purchase. Family: Family Membership provides a discount to a second adult and allows for PIT Crew membership in which children can participate in special PIT Crew-only workshops, classroom activities, and field trips. Dues pay for: food and drinks at the monthly meetings, refreshments on field trips, scholarships, and professional speakers for special meetings. Lake Ralph Hall/North Sulphur River, Fanin County To view a new 18 minute film on Florissant Fossil Beds Monument, please click on the link below: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=42760664-E715-FE44-F38270C2561E1366 We at SMU prepared a short video about the Smithsonian exhibit, "Sea Monsters Unearthed: Life in Angola's Ancient Seas," that has been posted on the Embassy of Angola in the United States website (https://angola.org) and on the Embassy Facebook page. To see it, click on the link (https://angola.org), which will take you to the website. The video is playing without sound on the banner. Scroll down to Highlights and you will see a photo of a fossil. Click on that photo and you will see the video with sound and Portuguese captioning on the Embassy Facebook page. Attached is an information sheet about the exhibit, prepared for the Angolan Embassy. If you would like the video with English captioning, just let me know. Enjoy! Louis Jacobs, DPS Advisor jacobs@mail.SMU.edu NMNH Notice and Links_July 2020.docx (This will download to your computer to view.)
We are very happy to announce that the very first Occasional Papers Volume 1, written by 9 members of the founding group of the DPS is now available to download! It is under the HOME choice on the menu bar, then Members-Only Content and then Documents and Resources. To see the info for Earth Science week, click here. The Paleontograph back issues are now available at the following link https://www.aaps-journal.org/the-paleontograph.htmlDallas Library and DPSThe Dallas Library’s Podcast on Natural Dallas (P.O.N.D.) Annual Community Nature Expo includes a video featuring the DPS. Please watch all the videos for some interesting things to do and learn about in the outside world. Visit http://dallaslibrary2.org/pond/ for the videos. | Upcoming Events
What we are doing!!PEROT MUSEUM Field Trip Saturday, January 27, 37 Members and guests went to the Perot Museum for a T-Rex exhibit and guided tour of the museum. Please see the complete write-up in February newsletter, the Fossil Record. Now Available! Also Available Now Copies can be purchased at monthly meetings for instant gratification. Or the book can be purchased and shipped to your home by Clicking Here Join us nowCome and join us for a great time at our next meeting, and click below to become a member. Individual and Family memberships are available, and kids can participate in the PIT Crew (Paleontologists In Training). Mail Check to: DPS PO BOX 223846 Dallas, Texas 75222-3846 The PIT CrewThe Paleontologists In Training is a program of the DPS that is open to kids from age 7 to 15. If you are interested in fossils, want to have fun on field trips, and like learning about our beautiful world, come join us at one of our meetings, or field trips. You will find it educational, and fun at the same time! For more information, Click the link here or click the link under the home page called "For Kids - The Pit Crew" , to see policies, upcoming events, announcements, and how to sign up to take advantage of this new program. About Us and Our Monthly MeetingsThe Dallas Paleontological Society normally meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM. |