Blog – Page 3 – Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

Fin-tastic Fossil Raffle

May 15, 2024June 7, 2024Penn Dixie

Update: the raffle is now closed! Winners will be contacted via email on June 5th.

Enter for a chance to win a prehistoric fish fossil! These fossils were found in the Green River Formation of Kemmerer, Wyoming — part of the Fossil Butte Member — and collected, prepared, and donated by our good friend and Penn Dixie board member Alasdair Gilfillan.

There are three different fish fossil prizes up for grabs — lot A is a Diplomystus dentatus, lot B is a Diplomystus dentatus and a Knightia eocaena, and lot C is a Diplomystus dentatus and a Knightia eocaena. Please see below for pictures of each lot.

Diplomystus dentatus and Knightia eocaena are both 50-55 million year old extinct species of freshwater clupeomorpha that have distant relations to modern day sardines, herrings and alewives.

Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. The first draw winner has their pick of the lot, the second draw gets their pick of the two remaining options, and third draw gets third pick, and the fourth winner receives the remaining specimen(s)! Please note that tickets are digital, you will not receive a physical ticket.

Winners will be selected on June 5th and will be contacted via email. Fossils will be mailed through USPS. This raffle is limited to mailing addresses within the contiguous United States.

We’d like to thank Alasdair Gilfillan for donating the fish specimens to Penn Dixie! Fossilized insect generously donated by Dr. Phil Stokes.

*Update 5/29: Due to popular demand, we’ve added a four prize: a Knightia eocaena AND fossilized fly from the Green River Formation!*

*Newly added* lot D – Knightia eocaena & Green River Formation insect

lot A is a 5.88 x 2.5 inch Diplomystus dentatus

lot B is a 3.5 x 1.31 inch Diplomystus dentatus and a 3.56 x 1.31 inch Knightia eocaena

lot C is a 3.44 x 1.31 inch Diplomystus dentatus and a 3.13 x 0.88 inch Knightia eocaena

Spring Cleanup

May 9, 2024May 22, 2024Penn Dixie

Saturday, May 18th, 2024, 10 am to 12 pm

Join our team of volunteers as we perform the annual cleanup of Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve!

Helpers are needed for various beautification projects including debris pickup and general maintenance. Waterproof boots are strongly recommended; please dress for the weather as we will be outdoors for several hours. Work gloves are helpful, too. We will have a limited supply of gloves on hand for those who do not bring them.

There is no charge for admission and those who help will receive a family membership gift certificate! All volunteers are invited to stay after the cleanup ends for some free fossil hunting fun.

Contact Sydney Mecca at sydney@penndixie.org to register or use the form below.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Spring Birding with Wild Birds Unlimited

April 22, 2024May 6, 2024Penn Dixie

Beginner bird watchers and expert ornithologists alike are invited to join us on Saturday, May 4th for a morning of birding at Penn Dixie led by our friends from Wild Birds Unlimited! We will explore the park’s woods and wetlands in search of spring migrants and year-round residents. This program is scheduled from 9 am – 11 am and is free for everyone. We will be meeting at the check-in pavilion next to the parking lot before we start our avian adventure.

Space is limited, registration is required

Curious about what bird species have been reported at our park in the past? Check out the list here: https://penndixie.org/our-birds/

Please dress in weather-appropriate gear, pack layers, and wear boots. Parts of our park can get muddy, especially in the springtime! Additionally, we advise that you bring bottled water as we do not have running water on site. There are portable toilets available near the parking lot. This event is rain or shine, but if there is heavy rain or we detect lightning on site, the program will be moved to May 5th and you will be notified via email.

Note: this event does not include fossil hunting. Full details regarding Penn Dixie’s hours of operation can be found here: https://penndixie.org/hours-and-rates/

To reserve your spot in our Spring Birding program, please fill out the form below. Please note that the form will be closed once the program is full. To be put on the waitlist, please email sydney@penndixie.org

Opening Day Fossil Hunting

April 4, 2024May 6, 2024Penn Dixie

Saturday April 27th, 2024 – 9 am to 4:30 pm

Join us on April 27th for the opening day of Penn Dixie’s 29th season! Celebrate spring with the #1 fossil park in the U.S., collect Devonian Period fossils, and enjoy a day exploring the outdoors.

Penn Dixie is open from 9 am – 4: 30 pm. The first tour departs at 9:15 am; subsequent tours are held every 30 minutes. Tours are free with admission and provide visitors with an overview of Penn Dixie’s history, both contemporary and prehistoric, and show guests how to find Devonian Period fossils. The final tour is 2:45 pm and the park closes at 4:30 pm. Final entry for non-members is at 2:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased day-of on site, but we recommend booking tickets online if you have a specific tour time that you would like.

The park is open weekends-only from April 27th to June 17th. We are open daily from June 17th to September 2nd, then return to weekends-only until mid-October. Full information regarding hours and rates can be found here: https://penndixie.org/hours-and-rates/

New to fossil hunting? Not quite sure what to expect from Penn Dixie? Wondering what to bring? Check out our frequently asked questions page: https://penndixie.org/faq/

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve is generously supported by Erie County and the Town of Hamburg.

Solar Eclipse Canceled

April 1, 2024April 3, 2024Penn Dixie

With due regard to the millions of Americans who are traveling to hundreds of cities and towns along the path of totality, we regrettably must announce the cancellation of the total solar eclipse on April 8.

This difficult decision was made, in part, because The Moon has been having second thoughts about blocking sunlight across such a wide swath of the North American continent. Ironically, The Moon has observed us and determined that the hassle of making this special and historic traverse is just not worth it. As a result, April 8 will proceed like any typical day – with the usual sunrise and sunset – and no eclipse. The moon reserves the right to attempt another eclipse at a future date.

Solar viewing glasses can be returned to your nearest Toys ‘R Us, Bed Bath & Beyond, or K-Mart for a layaway credit.

“I wouldn’t call it ‘cold feet,’” says The Moon. “I was truly looking forward to this event. But, I’ve heard that cities along the path of totality are bracing for large crowds, traffic problems, and other challenges, and I don’t want to cause issues. I just want to shine.”

“We’ve been working hard for the past several months educating children and adults on how to best prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Michelle Urbanczyk, president and CEO of Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum. “While we’re disappointed with The Moon’s decision, we understand and respect it. However, with that being said, we will still be celebrating The Sun, The Moon and The Earth this week at Explore & More juuuust in case The Moon changes its mind.”

Penn Dixie Executive Director Dr. Phil Stokes says “From high school physics we know that Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion come into play when forecasting astronomical events. Unfortunately, Newton’s little-known fourth law of motion applies here. We simply don’t have control over the whims of celestial bodies.”

“MOOOOO!” says Betty Lou Moo, the official dairy cow of Explore & More who was looking forward to an early return to her barn. “MOOOOOOOO!”