THOMPSON NICOLA PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Remembering
Since our inception, the Society has lost some iconic members:
Dave Langevin: 1943 - 2011
Dave was a founding member of the society in 1995. He was also a long standing member of the local rock club. Dave held the McAbee Fossil Beds claim from 1991 until his untimely death. He will be remembered for being a sharing and compassionate man. He donated many fossils to TRU and the Evolving Earth Foundation. He also shared his fossil site his school children and adults. Each year he invited both the TNPS and TVRC to a day at the hill where there were many finds made and many friends shared an enjoyable experience.
Bill Doggart: 1927 - 2007
Bill joined the TNPS in 1999 after he decided to take up stain glass and paleontology as hobbies in his retirement. He joined the army at the age of 17, and retired from the navy at age 43. He was pro-active in the local naval veterans association. A life long learner, Bill graduated from the local university in 2006 with a Batchelor of Fine Arts Degree. Although he enjoyed our fieldtrips, he was often busy with his homework or veteran activities. Bill remained very active until his death.
John Leahy: 1963-2015
NEWS & EVENTS
Community Service
In February of 2015, the TNPS made a project of the the McAbee display in the TRU Geology Lab where we hold our meetings. Planning was completed, and shelving built and installed to make full use of the space in existing cabinets. The goal is to display and maintain a full range of the common McAbee fossils in the three display cases. Previously, the displays contained only a few fossils that were not well organized or identified. With the installation of the shelves, we are able to display more of the small specimens like the fossil insects from this very important site.
Above: One of a new genus and species of crayfish from the McAbee site: Aenigmasticus crandalli.
Tools and Prep
Beyond the pry bar and hammer:
Once you have collected a fossil your journey with the fossil is just beginning. Most of us use an air scribe connected to a decent sized compressor. Decent lighting is a requirement. A microscope helps you see important small details when preparing and identifying a fossil and decreases the chance of damage.
Right: John's prep area in his basement.
Displaying Your Finds
Beyond the prep:
You've found your fossil and finished exposing it from the surrounding matrix. Now what? A good display allows people to experience the fossil - key to engaging imagination and to intellectual growth. Your display should not have so many fossils that it is cluttered or some are hidden by others. It requires decent lighting; too much shadow hides the details. A clear label that identifies the fossils is critically important. A goodlabel requires a name (genus and species if you know them), a common name, the name and age of the formation in which the fossil was found, and the name of the finder.
Is it Unique?
Keeping science involved
Should you find something unique, it is important to get the professionals involved. First take a picture of your fossil with a label that has your name on it. A quick search on the internet will help you discover which scientists are studying that type of material. Contact them via email with the picture attached and ask if they are interested in studying it further. If so, package your fossil up carefully and send it via registered post. Be clear to communicate when the fossil should be returned and to whom. Some of us have arranged to have any new species donated directly to the TRU Collection. There is a chance you could get your family name attached to the fossil if it is new to science.
Right: The beech named after Dave: Fagus langevini
