You may enjoy this video produced by John MacKenzie of Rogers TV, Victoria. The energy and enthusiasm that Jerri conveys while describing the event and all that the members of VicPS bring to Fossil Fair for the public’s pleasure is wonderful to see and hear. Kudos to all you volunteers!
Fossil Fair is the Victoria Palaeontology Society’s annual public education display and fundraiser (free, donations optional). This year, it will take place on the weekend of March 21 to 22 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Tillicum Shopping Centre.
Fossil Fair encourages public awareness of ancient life on Vancouver Island and pride in BC’s fossil heritage. At Fossil Fair, VicPS members share our specimens; demonstrate how to be citizen scientists (find, record, preserve, study fossils); highlight discoveries and research contributions by citizen scientists; and help the public to identify BC fossils they bring in.
The base display consists of over 15 cases of fossils from various geological ages on Vancouver Island, hands-on fossil displays and descriptive posters, plus interactive activities. This year’s activities include a scavenger hunt, fossil sand box, micro-fossil display, hands-on fossil display, an origami station, craft table and fossil ID station.
We also welcome participation by like-minded associates. This year the BC Fossil Management Office, the Royal BC Museum, and Passport to Science will join us, bringing their expertise and
activities. Welcome!
Membership in the Victoria Palaeontology Society secures your vote at the Annual General Meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 7 pm PST. As of today, we have 37 members, four of whom are new.
Why Dinosaurs?
A reminder that ‘Why Dinosaurs?’, a 1h 17m documentary with contributions from our very own Marji Johns and Gary Kaiser, is now available worldwide on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfSIU2c9GRU. This is an award-winning, labour-of-love documentary made by a father and son obsessed with dinosaurs, who roam the scientific world simply to satiate their curiosity – which makes it a very engaging show! Gary and Marji are interviewed near the end.
February Fieldtrip
A reminder that the first fieldtrip of the year is Sunday, February 8. As usual, details and logistics will be circulated a week or so in advance and your RSVP will be sought as we arrange carpooling from the Helmcken Park & Ride on the Island Highway in Victoria, or alternative spots for those living north of the Malahat. Watch for the email.
February Meeting
Members will have received an email with materials relevant to the meeting on Wednesday evening, Feb 4, at 7:00pm PST. It will be IN PERSON and VIRTUAL. Note the early start time of 7:00pm PST. This is to ensure we have ample time for the presentation and the AGM.
As usual, the first part of the meeting (7:00-8:00pm) will be a pictorial ‘2025 Year in Review’ covering fieldtrips, discoveries, events and public displays, with time for questions and dialogue. For those of you who attended the September meeting, it will be a bit of a repeat, with info from the final four months of the year added. For new members, this will provide a very comprehensive overview of who we are and what we do. All BCPA members are welcome to join this part of the meeting.
The second part of the meeting (8:15-9:00pm) will be our official Annual General Meeting. This is for members only, and BCPA executive members are welcome to observe. All current board members have indicated their willingness to continue for another year and no new names have been put forward to date. If you’re new to the Society, the AGM will make it clear how your $30 annual dues and vote contribute to the advancement of paleontology in BC.
Meeting Access:
Look to your email for the meeting connection information. See you then!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Welcome to 2026! Attached is the VicPS schedule of events for 2026.
FIELDTRIPS:
This year, we’re doubling up on fieldtrips, with twice as many on the roster compared to last year. Thanks to John Kitson for committing to these extra trips.
For those new to VicPS, fieldtrips are on Sundays (less traffic) and the time indicates when we leave/return to the Helmcken Park & Ride on the Island Highway. For those without vehicles, we arrange carpooling from the park & ride, which is accessible via transit.
Fieldtrip locations are chosen based on tides and river levels, with beach visits generally April thru July and river sites generally June thru Sept. Higher elevation sites are reserved for months when weather and tides are not favourable. We usually take a hiatus from fieldtrips in Dec/Jan.
Fieldtrip dates, times and locations are subject to change based on weather and times; logistics, along with site details, are confirmed via email in advance of each trip. Fieldtrip invitations & details are sent only to those who have renewed their annual dues by the January 31st deadline (details below).
MONTHLY MEETINGS:
Monthly meetings are generally the second Tuesday of the month, with hiatus in the summer during peak fieldtrip season. Monthly meetings are subject to cancellation if we do not have a speaker or a topic of interest to discuss.
Last year we had a wonderful run of workshops, thanks to leaders Marji Johns and Thor Henrich, and those continue to be a possibility if other leaders step forward.
PUBLIC DISPLAYS:
The annual Fossil Fair to display our fossil collections for the public will take place at Tillicum Mall for the second year in a row. More details on that leading up to March break, but please consider booking a table and displaying your material to augment the fair, or volunteer to run an activity. We have microscopes for a cool microfossil display but haven’t been able to do that in a few years, so the more volunteers we have, the more creative things we can do to show the public the cool history below BC!
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES:
It really helps with administration when dues are paid by the JANUARY 31st deadline, as our Society is required to remit a portion of dues to the BC Paleontological Alliance in early February. I thank you in advance, and note that dues can be paid by e-transfer to victoria.palaeontology.society@gmail.com, or by cheque to:
Treasurer
Victoria Palaeontology Society
4034 Hessington Place
Victoria, BC, V8N 5C6
On February 15th, names of those who have not renewed membership for 2026 will be removed from the distribution list, and access to the resources in the member’s area of the BCPA website will cease. A few reminders will be sent throughout the month, for your convenience.
We look forward to what the earth will reveal to us in 2026!
(VicPS Chair) Jerri Wilkins
With the BCGEU strike expected to end soon following a ratification vote by the union members, the GeoDiversity Day event at the RBCM has been rescheduled to occur on November 8th.
Victoria Geodiversity Fest will be hosted by the Royal BC Museum, a belated celebration of International Geodiversity Day. VicPS will participate again this year, sharing a portion of our Society fossil collection (aka ‘Education Kit’) with the public to promote the wonderful heritage below our feet here in BC. Volunteer to help staff the event or come see the public education face of VicPS. Save the date.
Save your travel budget, and attend CPC 2025.
The 33rd Annual Canadian Paleontology Conference (CPC 2025) will be held virtually on November 21–22, 2025.
This free, two-day online event will feature a program of both talks and posters highlighting the latest paleontological research from across Canada and beyond. Whether you’re an early career researcher, seasoned professional, or passionate enthusiast, CPC 2025 is a fantastic opportunity to share your work, connect with colleagues, and celebrate paleontology in all its forms!
Presented by the Geological Association of Canada.
December:
Renew your membership in VicPS and the BCPA, and welcome 2026 with a new schedule of events!
On Friday, September 19th, at 7:30PM (Mountain Standard Time) or 6:30 PM PST, the Alberta Palaeontology Society has invited us to their presentation by Dr. Jessica Theodor entitled: ‘New Species found at the John Day Fossil Beds’.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in eastern Oregon preserves an amazing and colourful sequence of interbedded volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, with dramatic stratigraphy including flood basalts. The fossils preserved there range from the middle Eocene rainforest faunas and floras of the Clarno Formation Nut Beds (44 Ma) and the Hancock Mammal Quarry (40 Ma), the Bridge Creek Flora (33 Ma) and the Turtle Cove Unit of the John Day Formation (29 Ma), the Mascall Assemblage (15 Ma) and the Rattlesnake Assemblage (7 Ma).
Recent work in the Turtle Cove Unit has yielded remains of two enigmatic insectivorous mammals, Cryptoryctes and Micropternodus.
ZOOM LINK:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84197949921?pwd=IGD8LCDlri68xD6dWqr0TbK30BDXlV.1
Meeting ID: 841 9794 9921
Passcode: 507378
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Join instructions
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The 2025 BC Paleontological Symposium is next month, August 22nd – 25th, and there is still time to register if you haven’t already. The schedule is posted here: 15th BC Paleontological Symposium 2025 v2 – Vancouver Island Paleontological Society (scroll down the page).
For those considering the Hornby Island Fieldtrip, overnight accommodation is being organized at a campground adjacent to the fossil site. Cost is $50 per person. If you are interested, please contact Jerri Wilkins and she’ll put you in touch with the accommodation organizer.
If you haven’t been to a symposium before, it will blow your mind! Great science, great conversations, and great displays.
See you there!
The monthly VicPS meetings are on summer hiatus and the focus is on fieldtrips, public education, and the Symposium.
June 15 – Field Trip, TBD (Lead: Corbin Rolfe)
Join Corbin Rolfe as he leads his first official VicPS fieldtrip! Please look for an email from Corbin with details of the trip, closer to the date.
June 22 – PUBLIC EDUCATION: Cowichan Valley Nature Kids (lead: Jerri Wilkins)
VicPS has been invited back for a second year to provide a ‘fossil field day’ for kids in the Cowichan Valley. Last year our volunteers had a blast introducing kids to the ancient marine life on Mt. Tzouhalem in Duncan. If you like participating in public education, Jerri will reach out closer to the date seeking volunteers. No experience necessary – we all learn by doing!
July 20 – Field Trip (lead: Jerri Wilkins)
We’ll visit one of the most beautiful and productive sites on our annual field trip schedule, and one Jerri looks forward to visiting every year. It’s a moderate walk and a good site for families, and for swimming (sometimes on purpose). Look for the invite closer to the date.
July 24 – PUBLIC EDUCATION: Island View and You (lead: Carol Barbon)
This is our annual opportunity to join the Capital Regional District and nature-based organizations for a day of public education focused on the past and present animals and ecosystems of Island View Beach (Cowichan Head) on the Saanich Peninsula. Closer to the date Carol will be looking for volunteers to hang out at Island View Beach for the day….tough job! If you attended the May 18th fieldtrip, this is your opportunity to test your memory by sharing knowledge with others. Jerri know who you are… we will be in touch!
August 10 – Field Trip (lead: Jerri Wilkins)
This site on the shore is easily accessible, and for those with patience and a good eye, it can reveal well-preserved gastropods and occasionally an ammonite. Details will be provided in a fieldtrip guide closer to the date.
August 21 – PUBLIC EDUCATION: Slithery, Slimy & Scaly (lead: Carol Barbon)
For this event, we join the Capital Regional District and nature-based organizations at Elk/Beaver Lake to talk about all things slithery, slimy and scaly. VicPS brings a new perspective to this annual event, exploring with kids why we don’t see snakes and frogs and lizards in the local fossil record. Or do we? Volunteer to help Carol, and you’ll learn the answers. She will reach out for volunteers closer to the date.
August 21-24 – BCPA-VIPS Paleontological Symposium 2025
This bi-annual meeting of paleontological researchers is four days of all things paleo as it relates to Vancouver Island and BC. Presentations on the latest scientific research, scientific posters, workshops and fieldtrips and lots of like-minded professionals and enthusiasts to meet. Check out the details below, and sign up today:
15th BC Paleontological Symposium 2025 v2 – Vancouver Island Paleontological Society