Resources

Fuel your passion for paleontology and geology

The sections below lead you to several websites, documents, and other content related to paleontology, geology, museums, and related organizations. To see the resources for each topic, click on the + (plus) sign to expand the section.

Browse all of the sections as some of the websites provide content that spans multiple topics. Don’t miss a thing!

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These websites are gateways to many other aspects of the topics they support. Some specific pages and content are also provided as described.

The Paleobiology Database is an excellent research tool, especially the taxonomic database search PBDB Taxon Search. You can get lost in there, but you will find many references to original publications describing your favorite species. There is also a web Application Programming Interface (API) for retrieving fossil-related data.

The Biodiversity Heritage Library is hosted by the Smithsonian Institution.

Cladistics Made Easy on YouTube.  This is a compendium of videos explaining the structure of the diversity of life by looking at the evolution of organism. You can attempt your own classification with this (no longer supported) cladistics software.

Here are other resources to help identify fossils.

Although written as a guide for beginners, this guide, Illinois Fossils, provides great information, and images for identifying fossils.

This guide to Jacksboro, Texas, Fossils includes lots of pictures to help you identify invertebrates. This guide is provided by the Dallas Paleontological Society

Fossils 101 – How can you tell is a single page developed by former WIPS president Beth Simmons offering a decision tree for identifying fossils.

This is a great resource to help you identify Peace River Florida fossils.

The Association for Materials & Methods in Paleontology is the preparators website. Look for information on fossil preparation methods, presentations and workshops.

PaleoBond sells glues, consolidants, and related products for fossil preparation.

The USGS Product Store sells manuscripts and maps. This is an excellent resource for topographic maps, historical maps and papers. See this map-oriented product browsing tool. Select a topographic map and you can purchase any available version including maps from the 19th century.

The USGS Publications Warehouse is a treasure trove of current and historical publications. Many publications have information for fossil identification and potential sites to visit.

The online BLM Colorado 100k Maps index takes you to free, downloadable maps showing boundaries of federal land.

The USGS National Geologic Map Database gives you a map-view based search tool for national and state geologic maps. Also, see the GNC catalog in the Geolex. Open a Geolex document for a formation you know produces fossils. The document is a collection of scanned cards describing publications, and search for the term “fossil”.

The Colorado Stratigraphy website is the most comprehensive geological mapping that has ever been done for the state of Colorado.

The always fun Google Earth is an excellent tool for researching sites. Use in your browser or download desktop software.

The Earth Point Search by Description allows you to convert Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Township-Range-Section specifications to latitude and longitude for use with Google Earth.

US Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM)s illustrate boundaries of US Forest Service land. Start here and browse to find the specific US Forest Service land. The MVUM links will be given for any area serviced.

The Geology Page is a general-purpose reference. Within its pages is a great list of responses to Questions about the K-Pg Boundary?

Another paleontology resource page, All About Paleontology. This website includes links to various sources of information, but the best part is that it offers links to kid-oriented content.

All About Dinosaurs and Fossils – A fun introduction to paleontology with links to many further resources for learning. Also oriented towards kids.

Visit this page to learn about Eocene Florissant.

Colorado has an active archeology program.

Also see History Colorado. This organization directs the laws for fossil collecting on Colorado State land. (Hint: you need a permit and cannot collect fossils for yourself.)

Website of the Utah Friends of Paleontology.

Northwest Paleontological Association

Stones 'n Bones – Activities and education for Fremont County, Colorado geology (Stones) and fossils (Bones).

Geological Society of America – National and international societies with consistent aims and missions of advancing the geosciences and/or science in general are invited to affiliate with GSA as Associated Societies.

Dinosaur Ridge – Every year Dinosaur Ridge and Triceratops Trail are destinations for close to 100,000 dinosaur enthusiasts, earth scientists, students of all ages, and nature lovers.

Chicago's Field Museum provides a lot of paleontological content.

Check out the local (to Colorado) Morrison Natural History Museum.

The Hagerman Fossil Museum website provides a rich history of the fossil site.

Visit the Tate Museum in Casper, Wyoming. This museum offers a dynamic experience.

This page features the geology museum at South Dakota School of Mines.

The Wyoming Dinosaur Center is supported by a foundation and provides outstanding, hands-on paleontological experiences that are engaging and enjoyable for all ages.

Before going onto State or Federal land, you should confirm the land ownership or management and follow all laws and regulations applicable to paleontology. Note that laws can govern more than collecting.

These links give you a place to begin. Further resources can be located online if necessary, using Google Search, or searches within the various agencies' websites.

Bureau of Land Management in Colorado and BLM Regulations for Paleontological Resource Preservation

US Forest Service and US Forest Service Regulations for Paleontological Resource Preservation

National Park Service – Colorado

See this Excel spreadsheet for information about agencies responsible for paleontology in their respective states.

Here, you can find dozens of College Scholarships for Earth Science and more.

Western Interior Paleontological Society grants and scholarships are awarded on an annual basis.

The Paleontological Society grants and programs page offers links to several many other grant and scholarship resources.

The Geological Society of America (GSA) offers graduate student research and travel grants. However, you must be a GSA member to be eligible.

The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences (AAPS) maintains and administers several privately funded grants that are available to researchers and educators worldwide. 

The David B. Jones Foundation makes grants to qualified 501 (c)(3) charitable organizations that address the Foundation’s mission in paleontology. Individuals need not apply.

Grants for students and post-doctoral collections-based researchers offered by the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI).

The Dry Dredgers of Cincinnati support research in paleontology and stratigraphy intended for publication with their grant program.