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Tag: bivalves

VicPS field trip: Sunday, July 20, 2025

The VicPS fieldtrip this month will be to the lovely Chemainus River.  The site requires a 15-minute walk on a gentle to moderate grade from the parking lot to the river, the ability to traverse a rocky riverbank, and it’s possible you may want to wade across the slippery rocks of the river to the other side.  It is appropriate for families, and children old enough to be around the river.  All children must be in the company of an adult. 

Expect beautiful views, wet feet and a high probability of finding specimens. Sunday is forecast to be a bit cooler than mid-week, but do bring and use sunscreen.

Details are in the email that each member should have received; contact Jerri Wilkins if you have not received the email.  Please RSVP.

    VanPS presentation: “Fossil hunting at Penn Dixie Fossil and Nature Park , New York”

    The Vancouver Paleontological Society (VanPS) meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 pm, PST will be live streamed on Zoom, and paid members of VicPS are invited to attend.

    Topic: Fossil hunting at Penn Dixie Fossil and Nature Park , New York

    In the summer of 2022, John Fam (Vice chair of the Vancouver Paleontological Society) and his family visited the Penn Dixie Fossil & Nature Park in upstate New York. This park is managed by the Hamburg Natural History Society and encourages the public to learn about paleontology through collecting of fossils. Here anyone can find and keep a variety of fossils such as trilobites, brachiopods, corals, crinoids, bryozoans, bivalves and gastropods. The fossils are all from the Devonian period approximately 380 million years ago. Please attend this free talk to hear more about John’s wonderful experience at Penn Dixie.

    VicPS members may attend the presentation by Zoom. Zoom meeting details have been emailed to all paid members of VicPS.

    VanPS presentation: “Fossils from Harrison Lake”

    On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 7 PM PST, Vancouver Paleontological Society chair Perry Poon will present, “Fossils from Harrison Lake.”

    The West Side of Harrison Lake is a well known popular fossil collecting site for the VanPS. Numerous specimens of small ammonites (Cadoceras sp.), large belemnites, and clams (bivalves – Buchia sp.) have been found in these Jurassic and Cretaceous fossil localities. Over several years these fossil sites had drastic changes including road construction, mineral claim, clear cuts, and forest fires. Perry Poon has visited these fossil sites over several years and has documented the changing faces of the West Side of Harrison Lake fossil sites.

    VicPS members may attend the presentation by Zoom. Zoom meeting details have been emailed to all paid members of VicPS.

    This meeting is also the VanPS Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the VanPS members elect a person for the position of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Web Designer, and Director(s). Be prepared to wait until the AGM concludes before Perry’s presentation begins.

    August 21 field trip

    When: Sunday, August 21, 2022, 9 am departure

    Travel: Meet at Helmcken Park & Ride at 9 am to arrange carpooling.

    Exposure: Please see the email sent to paid VicPS members for details.

    Exposure: Please see the email sent to paid VicPS members for details.

    Equipment: Geological hammer, chisel and safety equipment (gloves, goggles, safety helmet advisable) and footwear suitable for wading. Bring water, snacks/lunch and sunscreen.

    Please RSVP to Jerri Wilkins if you plan to participate

    July 17th field trip

    When: Sunday, July 17th, 2022, 7 am departure

    Travel: We are going a little further afield on this trip, so set your alarm clock! Meet at Helmcken Park & Ride at 7 am to arrange carpooling. Or meet us outside the Courtenay Museum at 10 am.

    Exposure: Please see the email sent to paid VicPS members for details.

    Exposure: Please see the email sent to paid VicPS members for details.

    Access: This site is not as easily accessible as other sites; some hiking and scaling of the riverbank is required and current water height in that section of the river is unverified. Good mobility, alertness and care required.

    Equipment: Proper footwear for hiking and riverside collecting. Basic hammer and chisel (like equipment used on shales at Mt. Tzouhalem and Chemainus River). Bring the usual daytrip essentials: hat, sunscreen, insect spray, jacket, lunch, water and an endless supply of curiosity!

    Please RSVP to Jerri Wilkins if you plan to participate