State paleontologists

[Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>]

>It would be nice if major collection areas had a digger "on-call",
>as it were, to check out reports and determine priorities as soon
>as a fossil is discovered.  Maybe 1-800-FOUNDIT.

Actually, several (mostly western) states have official State
Paleontologists, who do pretty much just that.  Additionally, some of the
major public lands regions with important fossil localities (primarily the
various National Parks and National Monuments), have paleontologists on
staff.

                                
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                                   
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile                  Phone:      703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey                                FAX:      703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.