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Addresses:
-Northern BC Paleontological Society: 725 Selwyn
Crescent, Prince George, V2M 5H6
-Thompson-Nicola Paleontological Society: University
College of Cariboo, P.O. Box 3010, Kamloops V2C 5H3
- Vancouver Paleontological Society: Centerpoint P.O. Box
19653, Vancouver, V8T 4E7
- Vancouver Island Paleontological Society: P.O. Box 3142,
Courtenay, V9N 5N4
- Vancouver Island Paleontological Museum Society: 151
West Sunningdale, Qualicum Beach, V9K 1K7
- Victoria Paleontological Society: 1770 St. Ann Street,
Victoria V8R 5V8
- BCPA Membership Society: P.O. Box 38, Lazo V0R 2K0
www.BCFossils.ca
British
Columbia Paleontological Alliance (BCPA) is a union of
professional and amateur paleontologists working to
advance the science of paleontology through fostering
public awareness, scientific collecting and education.
BCPA works to improve communication among universities,
museums, government agencies and individuals concerned
with fossils throughout British Columbia, with emphasis
placed on cooperation between amateurs and professionals
in the field.
Fossils
are the remnants of ancient life forms. The careful
collection, study and documentation of fossils supply us
with critical information about the world these organism
inhabited, the way they lived and how they died. The
fossil record is also the archival record of the evolution
of life on our planet. This research is fundamental for
understanding our place in the world, in which we live.
Fossils can be found in many places, along the banks of
rivers, at the seashore, or in quarries, for example.
Though common in some places, fossils are a non-renewable
resource, and because they document the history of life on
our Planet, they are par of our communal heritage.
BCPA seeks to raise awareness about fossils and the
factors that endanger this unique resource; such factors
include over-collecting, unchecked commercial
exploitation, and the destruction of sited due to
development.
To promote responsible stewardship of fossil heritage,
BCPA is working together with government agencies to
develop consistent and appropriate provincial standards
and policies for fossil collecting. Fossil collecting
under these standards will provide valuable record of
British Columbia's Paleontological resources.
To date, BCPA has participated in the development of
numerous Land Resource Management Plans across British
Columbia, and is considered the primary voice for
paleontological heritage by all involved parties.
BCPA is a non-profit organization composed of
representative from six regional societies and associated
professional and educational organizations across the
British Columbia Province. Individuals who are interested
in fossils can become members of the societies.
Social Activities
Becoming a member of any of the societies is simple and
does not require any previous paleontological knowledge.
The local societies offer a wide spectrum of educational
programs. These range from monthly meetings, where
scientists and amateurs alike present informative talks on
paleontology, to workshops on fossil preparation and
identification. Guided field trips to significant fossil
localities are offered year-round by most societies.
Every two years, one of the societies host the British
Columbia Paleontological Symposium, a large gathering of
professionals and amateurs, who are interested in
preserving and promoting Canadian fossil heritage. Formal
and informal talks of British Columbia's paleontology are
presented at symposium, as well as workshops on
identifying fossils and field trips to local collecting
sites.
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