National Fossil Day and International Archaeology Day
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240-0036http://www.blm.govJune 10, 2016In Reply Refer To:8100 & 8270 (240) PEMS TRANSMISSION06/21/2016Information Bulletin No. 2016-059To: All Bureau of Land Management EmployeesFrom: Assistant Director, Resources and PlanningSubject: National Fossil Day, October 12, 2016 and International Archaeology Day October 15, 2016The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will celebrate the 2016 National Fossil Day (NFD) during Earth Science Week, October 9 - 16, 2016.Sponsored by the American Geological Institute, this year's Earth Science Week theme is "Our Shared Geoheritage." See http://www.earthsciweek.org/ for more information.Then on Saturday, October 15, 2016, the BLM will celebrate International Archaeology Day (IAD). Sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), IAD started as a national day in 2011 and has become an international celebration in 24 countries. BLM field offices are encouraged to participate and engage the public as part of these heritage resource commemorations. Both events support the BLM's statutory responsibilities to provide the public with heritage education opportunities and implement the BLM's Education, Interpretation, and Youth Engagement National Strategy by fostering a greater appreciation of the scientific and educational value of archaeology and paleontology.National Fossil Day NFD was established pursuant to the 2009 Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470aaa-2), which requires federal land managing agencies to create programs that increase public awareness of the significance of paleontological resources. Field offices should begin planning events in conjunction with the NFD as soon as possible. Check the NFD web page at http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/ for the NFD 2016 artwork and logo, and information about NFD, including planned activities, art and photography contests, links to partner web pages, and ideas for hosting events and activities. In order to post an event on the NFD web page, go to http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/add_event.cfm. Please forward details of your planned events to Brent Breithaupt at bbreitha@blm.gov.The BLM's Printed Materials Distribution Section (PMDS) has the following paleontological education materials available in support of your activities:* PS-003, black and white 17" x 22" coloring poster from the 150th Anniversary of the Department of the Interior: Dinosaurs, America's Public Land Legacy for Children of All Ages (old No. P-393).* P-406, Fossils on America's Public Lands: A brochure on fossil collecting on public lands.* P-437, A New Paleontology Law: A brochure on the PRPA (Paleontological Resources Preservation under the Omnibus Public Land Management Section of 2009).* EE 2038A, “Junior Explorer: Geology and Fossils" Activity Book.* EE3002, "“Discovering Dinosaurs" videotape.* NFD Funding - The Washington Office (WO) has funding for field offices hosting NFD events.Please contact BLM's NFD representative Brent Breithaupt (bbreitha@blm.gov) with your proposals by June 15, 2016.International Archaeology Day The AIA established International Archaeology Day in 2011 to celebrate archaeology and the thrill of discovery. Federal agency involvement supports the Archaeological Resources Protection Act requirements for public awareness of the significance of archaeological resources on the public lands and the need to protect them (16 U.S.C. 470ii(c)). In five years, IAD has grown from a national event to an international celebration involving countries around the world. The AIA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1879 devoted to promoting public interest in past cultures and civilizations, archaeological research, and preservation of archaeological heritage.As a collaborating organization, the BLM hosts events and promotes IAD across all offices. Check the IAD web page at https://www.archaeological.org/archaeologyday for information about IAD, partner organizations, and ideas for participating in the event. Print materials available for distribution include state-wide archaeology week/month posters, Project Archaeology lesson plans or other heritage resource publications available from PMDS. The AIA also has buttons, magnets and stickers available that your partners might be able to purchase for distribution from the IAD web page.To post an event on the IAD web page, go to https://www.archaeological.org/node/add/event. Please forward details of your planned events to the BLM Deputy Preservation Officer in your state.How to Participate in National Fossil Day and International Archaeology DayBoth the NFD and IAD web sites include ideas to help inspire and plan events. As part of National Fossil Day and International Archaeology Day, field offices are encouraged to participate by: Coordinating interpretive events that highlight paleontological and archaeological resources. These events may occur any time during the year. Inviting BLM-permitted researchers working in your field office to speak about their field activities. Coordinating or giving presentations at local schools, museums, or civic events about paleontological or archaeological resources. Organizing an archaeology and paleontology fair, where the public may bring their items for identification. Conducting or coordinating field trips to nearby interpreted BLM paleontological localities or archaeological sites.Coordinating NFD and IAD activities with partner museums that hold artifacts or fossil specimens from BLM-administered public lands.Such activities might include* Laboratory open houses, special tours of the exhibits and “behind the scenes."* Developing or helping to develop temporary or permanent displays on BLM paleontological or archaeological resources.* Registering programs on the NFD and IAD websites.As October quickly approaches, find updates about participating events on the NFD and IAD web pages. If you have any questions about NFD, please contact Brent Breithaupt, Regional Paleontologist, BLM WYSO-930, at (307) 775-6052, or bbreitha@blm.gov, and for IAD, contact Ranel Capron, Federal Preservation Officer, WO-240, at (202) 912-7241, or rcapron@blm.gov.Signed by:Nancy Haug, Acting, Assistant DirectorAuthenticated by:Robert M. Williams, Division of IT Policy and Planning,WO-870 Resources and Planning