THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE JUNIOR PALEONTOLOGIST PROGRAM: EXPLORING PALEONTOLOGY, LEARNING ABOUT FOSSILS THROUGH TIME, AND PROTECTING NON-RENEWABLE PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES

The 2009 Paleontological Resources Preservation Act directs federal land management agencies to establish programs to increase public awareness about the significance of paleontological resources as part of implementing comprehensive paleontological resource management programs. The National Park Service (NPS) Junior Paleontologist program is one nationwide effort to fulfill this mandate. The program is modeled after the successful Junior Ranger programs that are a staple of NPS interpretation and education at hundreds of parks. Prospective Junior Rangers complete an activity book, attend ranger talks, and participate in other park activities to be sworn in as Junior Rangers. They receive a badge or a patch upon completion of the program. Rather than focusing on the resources and stories of one particular park—as in the Junior Ranger program—the Junior Paleontologist program takes an NPS-wide approach to paleontology and fossils. It includes 16 activities for Junior Paleontologists to explore the ways paleontologists work, learn about changes through Earth history, and help protect fossils in national parks. Examples in the booklet come from parks across the country, including many parks that were not established for their fossil resources. The booklet was developed in 2009 by Krista Jankowski, an intern through the NPS Junior Ranger Ambassador program, with guidance and support from a team of people in the NPS Geologic Resources Division and a variety of parks and other NPS offices. During the first year, more than 8,550 books and badges were distributed to more than 60 parks, museums, and other organizations. Hundreds of Junior Paleontologists were also sworn in during the National Mall event on National Fossil Day 2010. In addition to receiving a badge at a participating park, Junior Paleontologists can mail their books to the Geologic Resources Division, where they are reviewed and returned along with a letter and a badge. For more information about the Junior Paleontologist program, visit http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/jrpaleo.cfm.