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Petrified Forest National Park has reopened, along with Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum. There are no limitations on access to most of the park attractions and established trails.

Unfortunately, the remainder of the Field Institute events have been canceled as we rework the guided hiking trips and workshops to implement necessary safety measures. Our hope is to be able to bring these workshops and more back next season in a way that protects participants and instructors.

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Fossil Dig: Discovery and Excavation

August 8, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

  • « Relics of Route 66
  • Ice Cream Rocks and Lumberyard Tour »
Group on Fossil Dig | NPS Photo

Instructor: Adam Marsh

Prepare to get dirty digging in the Triassic Chinle Formation for fossil bones of giant amphibians, reptiles, and even early dinosaurs. Join the park paleontologist for a fossil dig in the Petrified Forest National Park. This one day excursion provides an introduction to paleontology field work.

The trip starts with a behind the scenes tour of the park fossil collections and then travel ‘off the beaten’ path to the dig site. We provide the training and the tools. This is a real-life adventure where participants participate in a real paleontological dig. Collected specimens become part of the park’s museum collection.

Class Categories

Paleontology
Paleontology

Geology
Geology

Schedule

  • 8:00 AM – Painted Desert Visitor Center (Exit 311, I-40) – Introduction and tour of collections.
  • 8:45 AM – Travel to dig site
  • 9:30 AM–3:30 PM – Partake in a fossil excavation (includes 1/2 hour lunch)
  • 3:30 PM – Return to Painted Desert Visitor Center
  • 4:30 PM – Class dismissed

Cost:

  • $159 – Non-Member
  • $130 – Member *Learn more at PFMA site
Registration Form

Class Notes

We provide training, equipment, tools, transportation, and lunch.

Participants should provide their own sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, light sweater or jacket and sturdy shoes. There is no shade in the quarry, hats are recommended. During monsoon season, gnats and mosquitos are present and temperatures and conditions can change with little notice.

Maximum number of participants: 10
Minimum age of participants: 14 (no exceptions, must be accompanied by parent or guardian)

Fieldwork will involve walking/hiking into a remote areas with uneven terrain and may be strenuous for some. Quarry work includes use of hammers and chisels, pick axes, sledgehammers, trowels, brushes and awls.

Fossil collection may involve casting fossils in the field using plaster and burlap, heavy lifting and transport of heavy, awkward objects. The participant may be exposed to extreme heat or freezing conditions, rain, hail, lightning or flashfloods. The volunteer will work in and around four-wheel drive vehicles in off road conditions.

Class registration does not include park entrance fees. For more information, visit the FAQs page.

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Details

Date:
August 8, 2020
Time:
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Event Categories:
Geology, Paleontology
Event Tags:
Adam Marsh

Venue

Painted Desert Visitor Center
1 Park Road
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028 United States
Phone:
(928) 524-6228 ext. 239
  • « Relics of Route 66
  • Ice Cream Rocks and Lumberyard Tour »

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Petrified Forest Field Institute

Petrified Forest Field Institute (PFFI) is a program of the official nonprofit park partner, the Petrified Forest Museum Association (PFMA). PFFI is proud to offer guided hiking tours exploring a variety of fun and compelling subjects lead by world class guides and field experts.

Teachers

Petrified Forest Field Institute courses provide a fun, professional and experiential academic opportunity to gain professional development hours, or CEUs.

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Photos courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park unless stated otherwise.