Re: fossil collecting

[San Diego Natural History Museum Library <libsdnhm@CLASS.ORG>]

This is exactly what the Outreach Committee of SVP is doing (compiling 
information on amateur training and dfield activities). I will send a 
copy of our first newsletter (just out) to anyone interested who sends me 
a snail address. Cheers, SAlly Shelton


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On Fri, 29 Sep 1995, Rob Meyerson wrote:

> >> allow the public to do surface collections only - no digging.
> >> for excavation, permits/licencing would be required.
> >> let museums/academics decide whether the commercial operations get to
> >> be licenced.  that would ensure that commercial operations would
> >> be more likely to be reputable.
> >
> >     I think that this would be extremely difficult to enforce.  Seeing
> >something lying on the ground and NOT digging in further to see what else
> >is there is a very difficult impulse to curb.  I would imagine collectors
> >would be doing this left and right.  How could you prove that they didn't
> >collect something on the surface unless you saw them do it?
> >
> >LN Jeff
> 
> It seems to me that there is an immense distrust of anyone collecting=
>  fossils who does not have a degree or two under his/her belt.  I wonder if=
>  this is due to arrogance on our part, thinking that anyone who does not=
>  have the schooling cannot be trusted.  Are we really this paranoid?
> Granted, those who aren't professional may not have the skills or training=
>  on how to document their find in a way that is usefull for its scientific=
>  information, but that's something that could be learned.  What if the major=
>  colleges and universities out in dinosaur country would compile a packet of=
>  information designed for the amateur.  It would give them all relevant=
>  stratigraphic information for their area, and would give them basics on how=
>  to document their fossil; and if it really is something major, who to=
>  contact for further instructions.
> I know that compiling these packets will take a lot of work (sounds like a=
>  graduate project for me), but I think that the rewards would benifit us=
>  all.  Hopefully, it will allow us all to sleep a little easier.
> 
> Rob
> 
> ***
> The pun is the lowest form of humor,
>   --Unless you thought of it first!!!
> 
> 
>