The 15th BC Paleontological Symposium was a wonderful event. This page, and the associated Call for Abstracts, remain here as evidence of the planning and effort that went into making it the great experience that it was for all attendees.
15th British Columbia Paleontological Symposium
August 22 – 25, 2025
The 15th British Columbia Paleontological Symposium will be held at the Florence Filberg Centre, August 22nd to 25th, 2025 in Courtenay, BC. The British Columbia Paleontological Alliance meets every two years to hold a symposium. This year the Vancouver Island Paleontological Society will host this symposium. The symposium will be supported by the Courtenay and District Museum. Please mark these dates on your calendar!
We extend a warm invitation For all to participate
- All friends and associates are welcome.
- There will be 14 formal presentations on exciting new fossil discoveries.
- Keynote speaker is Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
- The Paleo-banquet will be held Saturday evening, August 23rd at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave.
- Happy hour 5 pm – 6 pm
- Banquet 6 pm – 9:30 pm
- We regret that Artist Ray Troll will be unable to speak at the Symposium Banquet, in-person or virtually, as advertised. In his place, Pat Trask, Museum Curator of Natural History at Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre, will share the journey of the baby Elasmosaur from its discovery in the Courtenay area to its home in the museum, and the marvelous things the specimen reveals.
Locations:
| Symposium Event(s) | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures, Poster displays, Fossil displays, Silent Auction, Happy Hour, Evening banquet, Workshops | Florence Filberg Center (FFC) | 411 Anderton Ave Courtenay, BC Courtenay, BC |
| Museum tour, Social Mixer, Fossil Prep workshop, Field Trip meetups | Courtenay & District Museum and Paleontological Centre (Museum) | 207- 4th Street Courtenay, BC Courtenay, BC |
Dates & Events
This schedule may change. Please check back periodically for updates.
|
Day |
Date |
Time |
Event |
Location / |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Friday |
August 22 |
10:00 am – 2:30 pm |
Field trip to Shelter Point. Low tide 0.7 m at 11:00 am. |
Museum |
|
5 pm – 6 pm |
Museum tour with Pat Trask. No charge. |
Museum | ||
|
6 pm – 8 pm |
Evening social mixer: meet & greet with soft drinks, bottled water and food trays. |
Museum | ||
|
Saturday |
August 23 |
8 am |
Doors open for registration. Coffee available. |
FFC |
|
8:35 am – 4 pm |
Lectures, poster displays, fossil displays, silent auction. |
FFC | ||
|
5 pm – 6 pm |
Happy hour |
FFC | ||
|
6 pm – 9 pm |
Evening banquet, with speaker Pat Trask, Museum Curator of Natural History at Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre. |
FFC | ||
|
Sunday |
August 24 |
8 am |
Doors open. Coffee available. |
FFC |
|
8:45 am – 11:45 am |
Lectures, workshops |
FFC | ||
|
1:30 pm – 5 pm |
Fossil Preparation Workshop led by: |
Museum | ||
|
2 pm – 5:30 pm |
Field trip to Trent River |
Museum | ||
|
Monday |
August 25 |
8 am – 5 pm |
Field trip to Hornby Island. Low tide 1.59 m at 12:43 pm. |
Museum |
|
Tuesday |
August 26 |
TBD |
Field trip to Hornby Island, continued. |
Hornby Island |
Field Trips: More Information
Please meet at the Museum 15 minutes before departure.
- Friday, August 22nd to Shelter Point 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. Low tide 0.7 m at 11:00 am.
- Sunday August 24th to the Trent River, 2:00 pm- 5:30 pm.
- On Monday, August 25th, the Hornby Island Field trip has the option of one day or two days.
- Leave the Courtenay Museum at 8:00 am sharp to be in the ferry boarding line early, or meet at the Buckley Bay ferry terminal, to catch the 9:00 am ferry to Denman Island. Low tide 1.59 m at 12:43 pm.
- For those folks that want to stay on Hornby Island to take in the second day, August 26th, please advise the committee ASAP.
- Ferry and accomodation costs are borne by participants. Carpool or take your own car.
Questions?
- For more information email any of
Dan Bowen, Chair, Symposium Committee,
President, VIPS (Text or call 1-250-897-5026)