Monthly Meetings:

The VIPS  meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.

The VIPS Paleo-Lab is available upon request for fossil preparation.

Contact Dan Bowen

Field Trips:

The VIPS, field trip co-ordinator schedules regular field trips for members

and guests.

Safety, geological background, digging procedure and fossil identification

are emphasized.

Scientifically significant specimens should be held in a museum or university where they are available for evaluation and study.

Fossil Replication:

The VIPS conducts workshops to demonstrate how to construct fossil moulds and use latex for making peels.

Fossil replication is important for field work where the fossil does not have to be removed.

Replicas are used for educational presentations and displays.  Sometimes replicas of fossils are sold to people for personal displays.

Lectures:

The VIPS schedules lectures and visual presentations by amateur and professional paleontologists and geologists.

We invite the general public to share the old and new discoveries and theories involved with paleontology

Fossil Preparation:

The VIPS recognizes that careful preparation of fossils is very important

to the study of fossil specimens.  Field preparation is sometimes necessary

to protect the specimen for transportation to the lab environment.

Field and laboratory preparation require a variety of tools including:

• Chisels, hammers, glues, scalpels, dental tools, specimen bags, wrapping

   paper.

• Air scribe equipment; drumel tools, Mighty Jack, 0.5 Mini Jack, Ero air scribe, compressor, dust collector, preparation box, ventilation equipment & rock saw.

• New equipment: Pro-blast air abrasive tools.

• Chemicals such as acids are sometimes used to expose fossils in limestone.

Mould-making demonstration

by Gille Danis of PAST using a specimen of Nostoceras.

Danna Staaf

Marine Biologist

BC Paleontology Alliance

The British Columbia Paleontological Alliance (BCPA) is a union of professional and amateur paleontological organizations working to advance the science of paleontology in the province by fostering public awareness, scientific collecting and education, and by promoting communication

among all those interested in fossils.

BCPA Newsletter & History:

The VIPS has edited, produced and coalated 22 newsletters since 1992 which

have provided valuable information including paleo-articles, scheduled events,

and illustrations.

The newsletter is now virtual for members on the BCPA website.

Back issues can be ordered through the BCPA website.