BLM to lead archaeological field trips

Join a BLM Paleontologist Exploring Fossils and Dinosaur Tracks*
*April 1-2, 2017 near Green River, Utah*
*PRICE, Utah—*The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be hosting three
options for guided field tours the first weekend in April as part of the
Green River Rock and Mineral Festival in Green River, Utah.  These trips
are suitable for kids of all ages, although parents with very young
children should be aware these trips entail some hiking over rough
terrain.
·       Join BLM Regional Paleontologist Greg McDonald Saturday afternoon
or Sunday morning on an exploration of Fossil Point, a colorful Jurassic
fossil bed located approximately 13 miles south of Green River.  Greg will
paint a picture of this incredible site as it existed 145 million years ago
and discuss the rich fossil history of the area.  There will be time to
explore and scramble about, while looking at fossils and discussing the
ethics and rules for collecting minerals and fossils on public lands.
·       ReBecca Hunt Foster, BLM Canyon Country District Paleontologist,
will lead a group exploring our Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite located 30
miles south of Green River on Saturday morning.  You’ll see actual
footprints made over 150 million years ago and learn how scientists use the
direction, size, and distance between footprints along with other clues to
recreate the lives of these fabulous creatures and the environment they
lived in.
·       A tour of the Sego Canyon Petroglyphs with a rock art expert, Steve
Acerson, will also be offered on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon.
This is a terrific opportunity to explore the mysteries of pictographs and
petroglyphs from three separate indigenous cultures, some dating back as
far as 7,000 B.C.
Fossils, tracks, and archaeological sites are protected by federal law.
Everyone is encouraged to Respect and Protect
<https://www.treadlightly.org/programs/respect-and-protect/> these national
treasures.  Take only pictures, use Leave No TraceTM principles, and allow
future visitors the same opportunity to discover afresh, the wonder of our
shared natural resources.
Sign up for field trips at the Festival Information Booth at the John
Wesley Powell Museum located at 1765 East Main Street, Green River, Utah,
beginning Friday night, March 31, 2017.  Participants will be asked to
caravan from the museum in their own vehicles.  High clearance vehicles are
recommended for the tour to Fossil Point, as the last mile of dirt road is
rough.  Participants are encouraged to be prepared for a desert adventure
with full tank of gas, plenty of water, sack lunch or snacks, sunscreen,
hats and proper footwear.
For those attending the Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite tour that are
coming from the Moab area, you can meet at the Copper Ridge Tracksite at
11:30 a.m. Saturday morning.  From Moab, go north on U.S. Highway 191
approximately 23 miles.  Turn right ¾ mile past milepost 148.  Cross the
railroad tracks and follow the signs south on the dirt road an additional
two miles to the tracksite parking area.
More information about the events and several self-guided tours on nearby
public lands to Lower Gray Canyon, Black Dragon Canyon, Little Wild Horse,
Moonshine Wash, and Little Grand Canyon (The Wedge Overlook) can be found
on the Green River Rock and Mineral Festival website (greenriverrocks.com).
*The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of
any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public
Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM
also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout
the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and
productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present
and future generations.  In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1
billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.*