Welcome to the Dallas Paleontological Society Website
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.
40th Anniversary Meeting November 13
DPS met on Wednesday, November 13th, at Brookhaven Campus of Dallas College We celebrated the 40th year of the DPS! Dr. Louis Jacobs, president since 2000 of the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man at Southern Methodist University, delivered a talk on the history of the Dallas Paleo Society and its contributions to paleontology. After a stint in offshore seismic work and the merchant marine, Lou Jacobs received his BS in 1970 from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, and then his MS in 1973 and PhD in 1977 from the University of Arizona. He then worked as geologist for the US Geological Survey and as Research Paleontologist for the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. He became the head of the paleontology division at the National Museum of Kenya in 1981, beginning a lifelong interest in the paleontology and anthropology of Africa. In 1983, he moved to Southern Methodist University, advancing from Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences (and Adjunct in Anthropology) to full professor in 1992. Dr. Jacobs has promoted the interaction between amateur and professional paleontologists by serving as one of the faculty advisors for the DPS for many years, and speaking to the society on many occasions. The DPS has awarded scholarships to many of his students, who have also given presentations at our meetings. He has written two books for the general public, Quest for the African Dinosaurs and Lone Star Dinosaurs, as well as many scientific papers, posters, and abstracts. He served as president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology from 1996-98, and helped bring their 75th annual meeting to Dallas in 2015. He has recently retired from his professor duties, but continues at ISEM at SMU. Roger Farish also presented a Power Point show of historical society pictures of the DPS activities and remembrances of those founders of the Society since 1984. We had a wonderful dinner for 75 Members of the DPS hosted by the Executive Committee who planned, served the meal, and decorated the meeting room at Brookhaven before our program. Thanks to all our volunteers for a great Anniversary meeting!!!
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
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.html
Dallas 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 have been doing!Oliver Creek Field Trip Video August 17, 2024 https://www.flickr.com/photos/walter12345/53932258898/in/album-72177720319620097 Recent Publications Now Available! Order your T-Shirt Now. Click on the image to see details.
Also Available Now
Join us now
Come 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 Crew
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. |
Copies can be purchased at monthly meetings for instant gratification. Or the book can be purchased and shipped to your home by 
The 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!Buy DPS Books OnlineYou can now buy books from the DPS online by clicking the "Store" button on the navigation bar at the top of this page. If you buy online, and we ship the books to your home, you will have a shipping charge and tax. If you buy the book at a meeting, you will not have to pay the shipping fee or tax. Check out this new service. Questions For DPS?If You have any questions about the Dallas Paleo Society feel free to: Contact Us Hot Line 817-355-4693 |
Who we areThe DPS is a group of professional and amateur paleontologists that want to exchange information, interact, and continue their education in paleontology. We meet once a month on the second Wednesday evening of the month at Brookhaven College, Building H. Mailing address: Dallas Paleontological Society
| What we do
Do you have a question? If you have a fossil you cannot identify, or need a site investigation, contact the Fossil Bureau of Investigation for help. Contact Us at 817-355-4693.
| Why join usWe have fun. We learn stuff. We go cool places. We find interesting things. We make new friends.
Visiting Researcher Program The Dallas Paleontological Society (DPS) offers local logistical assistance to professionals/academics conducting research in the North Central Texas area. Assistance may include the loan of tools, but is not financial. Past projects have included providing transportation to field sites, assistance in locating particular fossils or outcrops of a particular formation, field collection and excavation. If you are interested in assistance, please contact the DPS President at president@dallaspaleo.org |
