What we do ...

Escalante Field Trip (West Coast of Vancouver Island).

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  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.

CLICK HERE for the Field Trip Page.

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  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.

Mould-making demonstration by Gille Danis of PAST using a specimen of Nostoceras.

  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.

Dr. Alan McGugan lecturing on foraminifera.

  BCPA Newsletter - The VIPS has edited, produced and coalated 22 newsletters since 1992 which have provided valuable information including paleo-articles, scheduled events, and illustrations.  Back issues can be ordered through the VIPS email.

Rick Ross and Joe Morin selling VIPS
T-shirts.
For more information on the T-shirts Click Here

  Meetings - The VIPS  meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.  Each Monday the Paleo-Lab is available upon request for fossil preparation.

Dr. Rolf Ludvigsen and Dr. Richard Hebda.

Dan Bowen, VIPS, Field Trip Co-ordinator . For field trip information email me by  CLICKING HERE

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Tim Obear checking out some folded Triassic limestones on Quadra Island.

  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.

* chisels, hammers, glues, scalpels, dental tools, specimen bags, wrapping paper.

* air scribe equipment, compressor, dust collector preparation box, ventilation equipment.

* chemicals such as acids are sometimes used to expose fossils in limestone.

Dr. Jim Haggart discussing fossil issues.