Avocational (Amateur,Independent) Paleontologists

From
Date
     Michael:
     
     One of the topic areas to be discussed at the Paleo 21 workshop is the 
     Independent Paleontologist.  Chis Cozart, a member of MAPS, has acted 
     as Coordinator and a statement on this topic is part of the Topic 
     Summaries you can read at:  http://www.nhm.ac.uk/paleonet/paleo21.  I 
     agree completely with your position and am hopeful that discussions at 
     the workshop lead by Chris will address the issues you have 
     identified.  You might contact him independently and share some of 
     your ideas with him.  He can be reached at:
     P. O. Box 4844
     Wheaton, Illinois 60189-4844
     cdcozart@aol.com
     630-462-9778
     
     
     Text of Paleonet message from from Michael Sternberg
     
     <Norm, and members of the Paleo21 Conference,
     
     <The future of paleontology must include the increased role of the 
     <avocational paleontologist.  Partnering societies, such as the 
     <Northwest Paleontological Association, bring together the academic 
     <strengths of the professional community with the unbridled enthusiasm 
     <of the avocational paleontologists to further the science in a 
     <significant way.
     
     <The amateur (avocational) paleontologist can offer the science 
     <significant opportunities if properly trained and integrated into the 
     <scientific process.  I respectfully request that the Paleo21 
     <conference seriously examine the expanded role of non-professionals.
     
     <One of the primary roles of the NPA is education.  We are in the 
     <process of developing programs for K-12 students and the general 
     <public and would be most interested in any developments that arise 
     <from the Paleo21 conference.
     
     <Sincerely,
     
     <Michael
     
     
     
     
     Michael Sternberg, President
     Northwest Paleontological Association 
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