2013 Artwork Unveiled! For the first time, the NFD artwork ventures into the Paleozoic. The 2013 artwork features a variety of Paleozoic marine invertebrates: a eurypterid, trilobites, bryozoans, rugose corals, and a gastropod. Learn more about the fossils and download the artwork on the 2013 artwork page. Learn more...	2013 Paleozoic Partners The first Paleozoic Partner of 2013 is the Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth (Ithaca, NY). It's home to many significant eurypterid fossils. Does your fossil site, museum, or organization preserve, display, or interpret Paleozoic marine invertebrates? If so, contact us to be featured here! 2013 Paleozoic Partner features... 2012 Mammoth Partner features...
National Fossil Day Artwork The National Fossil Day logos and National Fossil Day 2013 Artwork are available for public use for promoting NFD events. Also discover the story behind the logos with "what's on the artwork" pages. Learn more...	Art & Photo Contest Winners The 3rd annual National Fossil Day Art & Photography Contest results are in... Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated! Parents, teachers and budding artist, remember to check back this Spring to get the details on next year's NFD art contest. View the 2012 winners...
Earth Science Week National Fossil Day is a part of Earth Science Week, an event that encourages people everywhere to explore the natural world and learn about the geosciences. Earth Science Week is celebrated the second full week of October. Learn more...	Views of the National Parks Explore the world of paleontology and geologic time through multimedia educational programs. Learn about fossils, how they form, the scientists that study them, and the national parks which preserve them. Paleontology in the NPS... Geologic Time...
National Fossil Day Storefront Badlands Natural History Association is hosting an online gift shop for National Fossil Day products, including posters, magnets, pins, postcards, and medallions. Official NFD partner organizations may register online to make wholesale purchases. Learn more...	National Fossil Day Song Celebrate the National Fossil Day Spirit with the newly released Songs for Junior Rangers CD. These catchy songs include the National Fossil Day song by NPS Ranger Jeff Wolin. Listen to the NFD song on our Photos & Multimedia page. Learn more...

Countdown to
National Fossil Day...

October 16th, 2013

MISSION: National Fossil Day is a celebration organized by the National Park Service to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational values.
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Visit NFD on:

Paleontology Portal

A gateway to North American paleontology resources.
NFD partner site...
National Park interactive map...

Fossil Day Feature Articles

Junior Paleontologist Activities

The Junior Paleontologist program engages young people in activities that allow them to discover the significance of fossils and the science of paleontology, and introduces them to the national park system and to the mission of the National Park Service.
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Climate Change in the Fossil Record

Fossils are evidence of past climates. They also provide clues for how living things respond to climate change—important lessons for our warming planet.
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New Fossil Preservation Law

Title VI of Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Pub.L. 111-11) established the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009 (PRPA) to better manage and protect paleontological resources on Federal lands using scientific principles and expertise.
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The Story of the Missing Fossil Park

FOCY logo Have you ever visited Fossil Cycad National Monument?
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A Message From

PRESIDENT
BARACK OBAMA

View NFD 2010 Message...

Map of 237 National Parks with Known Fossil Resources

Map of 236 National Parks with Known Fossil Resources

A Junior Paleontologist's Discovery

In May of 2010, seven-year-old Kylie Ferguson, on vacation from Georgia, participated in a Junior Paleontologist program at Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Just a few hundred feet from the visitor center, Kylie discovered a rare museum-quality saber tooth cat skull.
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