Re: Paleo21 - Avocational paleontologists

From
Date
At 06:16 PM 8/15/97 -0700, Jere Lipps wrote: with portions snipt for brevity

>A major problem in dealing with avocational paleontologists is that there
>seems to be no list of them or their organizations together with mailing
>addresses.

The Outreach Committee of SVP has solicited such information (on
organizations) in the past.  I am not certain of the status of that
program.  Perhaps Sally Shelton could comment.  

> Clearly, there is a
>gradation in the avocational paleo community from those people who are
>mildly interested in fossils or paleontology to those who conduct major
>field and research projects.   Everyone along this gradient has something
>to benefit from by more interactions with professionals, confidence being
>only one of those things.

As an avocational paleontologist (AP), I applaud your comments and am
offering to assist as time allows.  There is no question that the
paleontological issues of the 21st century will necessarily include an
expanded role of AP's as further funding cuts take place.  Not to be
semantically anal, I would like to propose that AP's be defined as
non-funded paleontological researchers.   We necessarily rely heavily on
the assistance and guidance of professional (vocational) earth scientists,
and I'd like to express my deep appreciation for all the help I've received.

I am President of the Northwest Paleontological Association in Seattle,WA.
We are affiliated with the Burke Museum and have been a viable organization
for about 3 years.  Several of my objectives as president are to expand the
scope of AP participation in paleontology.   Possibilities are cooperative
programs with regional entities such as the John Day Fossil Beds and
Hagerman Horse Site, hotline response to construction exposures of fossil
beds, and of course, volunteer assistance with regional museums, schools,
and government agencies.  My primary objective however is to provide
quality education and training to our members.

Whether addressed at Paleo21 or not, I strongly recommend greater
networking of resources represented by the serious AP's out there.  I am
glad that the subject is considered important enough to be included in the
Senckenberg Conference.


Michael Sternberg
President - Northwest Paleontological Association
360.293.2405