THE CERTIFICATION IN PALEONTOLOGY PROGRAM AT THE DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE

In 1989-90, Paleontology was revived at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (then called Denver Museum of Natural History) by the hiring of two curators, two preparators, and a collections manager. The Museum also made a commitment to build a new exhibit about the history of life on Earth. This exhibit, Prehistoric Journey, opened in the fall of 1995. As part of this rebirth, we recognized the contributions and potential of amateur paleontologists and interested members of the general public, and sought an approach to enhancing their interests and professionalizing their efforts. In 1990, we formalized the Certification in Paleontology Program as a cooperation between the Department of Earth Sciences (DES, now DESS) and the Department of Adult Programs. We developed a curriculum of subject-based lecture courses (usually 4-6 2-hr lectures with a fieldtrip or lab) and practical courses (field paleontology, lab preparation, curation methods, and research methods and report writing) to be taught by DESS staff and research associates. To date, more than 150 people have graduated from the program. Many of them have maintained an affiliation with the DESS and now serve as trained volunteers. In 2000, 191 volunteers (largely Certification Program participants and graduates) donated more than 34,629 hours (17.3 FTE) to DESS activities. This large and capable volunteer force facilitates fieldwork, a salvage paleontology program (The Fossil Posse), the rapid preparation of fossils in a lab with public viewing windows, curation, and various forms of education and outreach (see Follow a Fossil at www.dmns.org). Individual volunteers have taken the initiative to commence specific research projects with the goal of scientific publication. Between 1990 and 2000, DESS volunteers published 25 scientific abstracts and 16 reviewed papers. In 14 of the 16 papers, the volunteer was the primary author. This program demonstrates the mutual benefits of involving interested adults in the process and practice of museum-based science.