paleontology – Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

Opening Day – April 29th

April 18, 2023Penn Dixie

Saturday April 29th, 2023 – 9 am to 4:30 pm

Join us on April 29th for the opening day of Penn Dixie’s 28th 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. 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 29th to June 12th. We are open daily from June 12th to September 4th, 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.

Membership Gift Pack

November 17, 2022February 15, 2023Penn Dixie

Give the gift of science!

Your lucky recipients will enjoy one year of Penn Dixie membership and all sorts of goodies for new and returning fossil hunters.

Membership Gift Packs are available with either Family ($74.99) or Individual ($54.99) membership certificates. Shipping included. Membership is not activated until application and gift certificates are redeemed. Certificates are redeemable upon first visit or via mail.

Family Pack $74.99 – Individual Pack $54.99

Includes:

One year Family Membership – $60 value — with unlimited free admission for two adults and up to four children/grandchildren under age 18 -OR- Individual Membership – $40 value — with member benefits for one adult;
Two Trilobite guest passes — $24 value;
Trilobite bandana — $5 value;
Penn Dixie Bumper sticker — $4 value;
Into The Devonian magnet — $2 value;
Amazing Arthropods gift box — $5 value;
Two tool rental coupons — $10 value;
Penn Dixie koozie (koozie style varies) — $3 value;
Trilobite patch — $3 value;
Two grab bags containing Penn Dixie fossils — $4 value;
Two Fossil Hunters Club cards to keep track of what you find;
Penn Dixie eNews updates & digital newsletter subscription; and
Savings on special events and in our gift shop.

You’ll receive all of these items — over $120 value — inside a custom-designed, locally screened artisan box that features paleoart by Ernst Haeckel and is perfect for storing your fossil collection. Surprise a friend or treat yourself!

Trivia Night – 6/18

June 16, 2022June 18, 2022Penn Dixie

Registration closes at noon on 6/18.

What is the most commonly found trilobite at Penn Dixie? Who directed Jurassic Park? Compete for prizes and put your paleo-brain power to the test during this quiz-show styled event where we ask all things prehistoric!

You may bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to this event. 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. In the event of heavy rain or if we detect lightning on site, the program will be cancelled, you will be notified via email and receive a full refund.

Admission is $7 per participant, free for Penn Dixie members – registration is required. Prizes will be awarded to placing teams, everyone will receive Penn Dixie participation swag.

Cancelation policy: Penn Dixie will not refund payments for cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to the program. Refunds will not be available for registrants who choose not to attend a class/program. If you registered for a program that was canceled by Penn Dixie, you will receive a full refund.

The Ultimate Director’s Tour!

May 30, 2022July 10, 2022Penn Dixie

July 9th, 6 pm – 7:30 pm

A unique opportunity like never before – a tour led by all of Penn Dixie’s Directors! Executive Director Dr. Phil Stokes, Associate Director Dr. Holly Schreiber, and Director of Science Catherine Konieczny, M.S. will lead the group to to several unique areas on site that are not visited on typical tours. This program includes tool rental and specimen id cards, and you can keep all of the fossils that you find!

Please dress in weather-appropriate gear, pack layers, and wear boots. 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. In the event of heavy rain or if we detect lightning on site, the program will be cancelled, you will be notified via email and receive a full refund.

Admission is $7 per participant, free for Penn Dixie members. Ages 10 & up. Registration required, members please contact the office at 716-627-4560 for a registration code.

Two Penn Dixie employees promoted; full time staff doubles in two years

February 21, 2022March 25, 2022Penn Dixie

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve announces two staff promotions: Dr. Holly Schreiber has been promoted to Associate Director and Sydney Mecca has been promoted to full time Marketing & Development Coordinator.

“I’m thrilled that my new role will allow me to continue to help Penn Dixie grow in new and exciting ways. I’m eager to find and work with new community partners to bring the organization’s mission of hands-on science education to even more people” says Dr. Holly Schreiber. A paleontologist by training, she previously served as director of education after joining Penn Dixie in February 2017. Her new role includes administration, grant writing, and program management duties in service of our nonprofit’s science education mission.

“I’m excited to be a part of an organization that connects our local and international communities with the wonders of the natural world” says Sydney Mecca. Prior to the promotion, Sydney worked as a seasonal naturalist for the Niagara Region Park Interpretive Programs Office in 2020 and 2021. During this time they created and led public nature programs, updated nature center displays, and assisted with virtual field trip videos. They also worked in a part time capacity for Penn Dixie in a marketing role, handling social media and website development. Sydney’s new role will focus on engaging new audiences via marketing and promotions, coordinating organization fundraising activities, and creating new STEM program offerings.

Sydney becomes the fourth full time employee at Penn Dixie, doubling the number of full time positions at the organization since February 2020.