TWO DECADES OF PALEONTOLOGY INTERNS AT FLORISSANT FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT: EXAMPLES OF SYNERGISM BENEFITING PARK PROJECTS AND STUDENT CAREERS (Invited Presentation)

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument has sponsored more than 50 paleontology interns since 1997. This mutually beneficial program advances the national monument’s goals to provide paleontological conservation, interpretation, and research in the monument’s new paleontology lab and museum while also benefiting students by refocusing their educational direction and advancing career options for a number of recent participants. The intern program has been sponsored by the Geoscientists in the Parks, Association for Women Geoscientists, Mosaics in Science, Environmental Stewards, Environment for the Americas, and University of Colorado Archives. Ongoing projects have included inventory and monitoring of fossil sites, paleontological excavations, collections management, scientific research, investigation of new methods for conservation of fossil shale and petrified trees, curriculum development, website creation, exhibit preparation, public outreach, preparation of funding proposals, digitization of collections, compilation of a GeoPark proposal, archives management, and creation of a wide array of databases. Recent projects have involved development of educational and exhibit media, including an innovative virtual tour of the new Paleontology Lab and video content about paleontology topics for a kiosk in the new visitor center. Interns recently developed new trailside exhibits and designed a geologic trails map, both of which enhance visitor education by providing credible scientific content. Interns have provided extensive collections management including the move of collections into the new facility, stabilization of fragile fossils, and identification of fossil plants and insects. Many Florissant interns have continued their education and completed graduate degrees in paleontology or related fields, and some have completed theses related to projects initiated during their internships. Participants acquire practical experience in paleontological resource and collections management, which is rarely covered in academic programs. Such practical experience is potentially valuable for future employment, and recent interns have gone on to positions at museums, universities, government agencies, and consulting firms, enabled in part by skills developed as interns.