Welcome to the Dallas Paleontological Society Website
The Dallas Paleontological Society was founded in 1984 for the purpose of promoting interest in and knowledge of the science of paleontology. It was intended by the founding members that the Society would be a network for the exchange of data between professionals and serious amateurs in this field.
Regular Monthly Meeting August 13 Hot enough for you? Searching for and excavating fossils can be hot work this time of year, and heat stress and sunburn are major hazards. How would you like to collect fossils while swimming in cool water, out of the sun? Some paleontologists do that. The Dallas Paleontological Society will meet next on Wednesday, August 13th, at 7PM Central time, in the Boonesville Auditorium (Room H125) of the Ellison Miles Building (Bldg H) at Brookhaven Campus of Dallas College, 3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch. John Morettii, from UT Austin, will speak on “Exploring for Ice Age fossils in the water caves of central Texas”. Many ice age fossils have been found in the dry caves of Texas, but recent discoveries in water-filled caves reveal a different chapter in the natural history of our region. John Moretti earned a BA degree in Anthropology in 2004 from Texas Tech University. He continued there to earn an MS in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2018, with a thesis on the late Pleistocene vertebrate fauna of the Macy Locality (southern High Plains of Texas). During much of this time he worked at the Lubbock Lake Landmark site in Lubbock. He has worked for several archeological firms, including Moore Archeological, HRA, Gray and Pape, and Christopher Goodwin and Associates, as well as the Sul Ross State University Center for Big Bend Studies in Alpine. In May of this year he finished his PhD degree in Geosciences, specializing in Vertebrate Paleontology, at the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. His research investigates patterns of change in the vertebrate community of southwestern North America over the last 3 million years. To do this, he is studying fossils collected from caves across the Edwards Plateau of Texas. DPS meetings are open to the public and free, so invite anyone interested in science and fossils. Members can bring snacks and food to share, and the society provides water or sodas. Everyone can bring fossils, especially those in need of identification. We will stream the meeting on Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83096250920. If the link does not work, start Zoom and enter the meeting ID of 830 9625 0920, then wait for the host to let you in. FOSSILMANIA 2025 INFO!
Expo Hours: Friday, October 24 8 am – 6 pm Saturday, October 25 9 am – 6 pm Sunday, October 26 9 am – 4 pm FOSSILMANIA, Texas’ longest running fossil-specific trade show, is held at the Expo at Glen Rose 202 Bo Gibbs Blvd, W Hwy 67, Glen Rose, Texas 76043. As a fossil-specific trade show, vendors are asked to, please, keep selection to a minimum of 75% fossil and paleontology related items (including, but not limited to fossils, books, clothing, equipment, tools, etc.). For complete FOSSILMANIA Brochure, please click here. DPS Officers for 2025The officers for 2025 are: President: Joe O'Neil mailto:president@dallaspaleo.orgVice President: Dana Baggott mailto:vp@dallaspaleo.org Fossil Record Editor: David Hill mailto:editor@dallaspaleo.org Secretary: Julia Hall mailto:secretary@dallaspaleo.org Treasurer Pam (Paul) Lowers mailto:treasurer@dallaspaleo.org Fossil Bits and PiecesThe DPS offers extra benefits for Members. Types of Memberships and costs of each can be found under MEMBERSHIP choice in the menu bar, then New Member Online Application. Below is a list of what Members receive and the reasons you should plan to join (or re-join) us in our paleo adventures! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Newsletter: The Fossil Record, the Society’s monthly newsletter, is sent to all Members. Volunteerism: Volunteer opportunities to work the DPS booths provides community outreach, interaction with the public, and occasionally free entry to an event. We need volunteers for all committees (to see our list of committees, click here) and activities. Special Events: Members receive Eblasts on surprise events and reminders of upcoming events. DPS Website: Current members have access to the Members only section of the DPS website, which includes the Membership Directory, past newsletters, and more. Field Trips: Some field trips have limited access (quarries, Oklahoma trilobites, etc.), and some field trips are designated Members-Only. Excavations: Participation in Fossil Bureau of Investigation (FBI) excavations. Discounts: Fossil prep kits, display items, books, and other unique items are occasionally offered at a discount to Members. Occasional Papers: Each Occasional Papers is a collection of in-depth articles on paleontology written by members. One copy per membership is free to members for a limited time immediately following publication. Past Occasional Papers are available for purchase. Family: Family Membership provides a discount to a second adult and allows for PIT Crew membership in which children can participate in special PIT Crew-only workshops, classroom activities, and field trips. Dues pay for: food and drinks at the monthly meetings, refreshments on field trips, scholarships, and professional speakers for special meetings. Lake Ralph Hall/North Sulphur River, Fanin County
We at SMU prepared a short video about the Smithsonian exhibit, "Sea Monsters Unearthed: Life in Angola's Ancient Seas," that has been posted on the Embassy of Angola in the United States website (https://angola.org) and on the Embassy Facebook page. To see it, click on the link (https://angola.org), which will take you to the website. The video is playing without sound on the banner. Scroll down to Highlights and you will see a photo of a fossil. Click on that photo and you will see the video with sound and Portuguese captioning on the Embassy Facebook page. Attached is an information sheet about the exhibit, prepared for the Angolan Embassy. If you would like the video with English captioning, just let me know. Enjoy! Louis Jacobs, DPS Advisor jacobs@mail.SMU.edu NMNH Notice and Links_July 2020.docx (This will download to your computer to view.)
We are very happy to announce that the very first Occasional Papers Volume 1, written by 9 members of the founding group of the DPS is now available to download! It is under the HOME choice on the menu bar, then Members-Only Content and then Documents and Resources.
To see the info for Earth Science week, click here. 
The Paleontograph back issues are now available at the following link https://www.aaps-journal.org/the-paleontograph.html
Dallas Library and DPSThe Dallas Library’s Podcast on Natural Dallas (P.O.N.D.) Annual Community Nature Expo includes a video featuring the DPS. Please watch all the videos for some interesting things to do and learn about in the outside world. Visit http://dallaslibrary2.org/pond/ for the videos. | Upcoming Events
What we are doing!The DPS has been visiting several parts of town. Frisco Library's Science Night Details here - Community Science Night | Events | Frisco Public Libra Whiteside Museum's PermianFest Times and tickets - 2025 MUSEUM EXPANSION | WMNH Bonham State Par Summer Outdoor Expo - Summer Outdoor Expo — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Recent Publications Now Available! Order your T-Shirt Now. Click on the image to see details.
Also Available Now
Join us now
Come and join us for a great time at our next meeting, and click below to become a member. Individual and Family memberships are available, and kids can participate in the PIT Crew (Paleontologists In Training). Mail Check to: DPS PO BOX 223846 Dallas, Texas 75222-3846 The PIT Crew
For more information, Click this link pitcrew@dallaspaleo.org or click the link under the home page called "For Kids - The Pit Crew" , to see policies, upcoming events, announcements, and how to sign up to take advantage of this program. About Us and Our Monthly MeetingsThe Dallas Paleontological Society normally meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM. |
Fossils Under Ground and Under Water
Copies can be purchased at monthly meetings for instant gratification. Or the book can be purchased and shipped to your home by 
The Paleontologists In Training is a program of the DPS that is open to kids from age 7 to 15. If you are interested in fossils, want to have fun on field trips, and like learning about our beautiful world, come join us at one of our meetings, or field trips. You will find it educational, and fun at the same time!Buy DPS Books OnlineYou can now buy books from the DPS online by clicking the "Store" button on the navigation bar at the top of this page. If you buy online, and we ship the books to your home, you will have a shipping charge and tax. If you buy the book at a meeting, you will not have to pay the shipping fee or tax. Check out this new service. Questions For DPS?If You have any questions about the Dallas Paleo Society feel free to: Contact Us Hot Line 817-355-4693 |
Who we areThe DPS is a group of professional and amateur paleontologists that want to exchange information, interact, and continue their education in paleontology. We meet once a month on the second Wednesday evening of the month at Brookhaven College, Building H. Mailing address: Dallas Paleontological Society
| What we do
Do you have a question? If you have a fossil you cannot identify, or need a site investigation, contact the Fossil Bureau of Investigation for help. Contact Us at 817-355-4693.
| Why join usWe have fun. We learn stuff. We go cool places. We find interesting things. We make new friends.
Visiting Researcher Program The Dallas Paleontological Society (DPS) offers local logistical assistance to professionals/academics conducting research in the North Central Texas area. Assistance may include the loan of tools, but is not financial. Past projects have included providing transportation to field sites, assistance in locating particular fossils or outcrops of a particular formation, field collection and excavation. If you are interested in assistance, please contact the DPS President at president@dallaspaleo.org |
