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.
October 14 Meeting Was Held on Zoom
When you look at beautiful fossil leaves, have you ever wondered what the forest was like? Was the leaf from a tall tree, hogging the sun at the top of the forest? Or did it grow in the understory, in the shadows of big trees above? Our online meeting of the DPS was Wednesday, October 14th, when we will heard how to “see the forest from the leaves”. There were 59 attendees on Zoom.
Joe Milligan, PhD candidate at Baylor University, spoke on "Sycamores shine a light on ancient canopy structure”. Joe has a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and an MA in Earth and Environmental Science from Wesleyan University. He is doing several research projects for his doctorate, including estimating the CO2 content of the ancient atmosphere from fossil leaves, which is supported by a scholarship from the DPS. In this work he studied living trees which were grown in different shade conditions, and determined how the leave shape, microstructure, and even the carbon isotope composition are effected. Sycamores are one of our most beautiful trees, and distinctive fossils, so it will be fun to learn how they might tell us about the structure of ancient forests. Wednesday, October 14th, was National Fossil Day! We celebrated with two short talks on fossils that can be seen in our national parks. Tom Dill gaave a short walking tour of giant spiral beaver burrows along the Daemonelix Trail in Agate Fossil Beds in Nebraska, and Estée Easley talked about Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado, and their virtual displays and online activities. You could submit questions for the speaker in the chat box, typing “QUESTION” to make them stand out. We read them at the end in the order received, or unmuted people to ask their questions. Steve Crain 1946-2020
Stephen was an avid fossil collector, and found and named numerous new echinoid species. He was a friend to all animals, and rescued countless cats and dogs. He loved "oldies" music, old movies, and bike riding. He was hunting fossils in West Texas with Bill Thompson when he died unexpectedly on September 7. We will miss him as a friend, fossil collector and DPS Member. 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. Fossil Bits and PiecesWe 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 flier for Discover Earth Science, click here to download their PDF document. 
https://www.aaps-journal.org/the-paleontograph.html
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Newsletter: The Fossil Record, the Society’s monthly newsletter, is sent to all members. Special Events: Members receive Eblasts on surprise events and reminders of upcoming events. DPS Website: Current members have access to the Members 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 immediately following publication. Past Occasional Papers are available for purchase. Volunteerism: Volunteer opportunities to work the DPS booths provides community outreach, interaction with the public, and occasionally free entry to an event. 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. | Upcoming Events
Now Available!
DPS Officers for 2020The results of the election of officers for 2020 are: President: Philip ScogginsVice President: Estee Easley Fossil Record Editor: Diane Tran Treasurer: Paul Lowers Secretary: Kim Pervis 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). 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 usually at Brookhaven College, unless we have something special happening that month. However, since COVID-19, we are holding our monthly meetings on Zoom. Please check our Calendar for exact dates. Come meet with us, hear a speaker, learn about paleontology, and bring your unidentified fossils and unique finds to share with the group. You will be welcome, and we will enjoy meeting you. Beware of big words! For a map of our meeting location Click Here. |
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 |
