trilobite – Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

Membership Gift Pack

December 1, 2023December 1, 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!

As a special holiday bonus, all Membership Gift Packs purchased between 12/1/2023 and 12/15/2023 will include 4 pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses! Per USPS shipping recommendations, place your Christmas orders by 12 pm on December 15th.

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 — $30 value;
Trilobite bandana — $5 value;
Penn Dixie sticker — $2 value;
Into The Devonian magnet — $2 value;
Amazing Arthropods gift box — $5 value;
Two tool rental coupons — $10 value;
Penn Dixie coasters — $6 value;
Trilobite patch — $3 value;
Two grab bags containing Penn Dixie fossils — $4 value;
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.

Dig In!

August 1, 2023November 6, 2023Penn Dixie

Attention teachers, activities directors, program coordinators, scout leaders, and more! Are you looking for some fossil fun during the colder months? Let us bring Penn Dixie to you with our newest outreach program, Dig In!

Participants become paleontologists as they dig through material from Penn Dixie and learn about Buffalo’s prehistoric past! During this outreach program, a Penn Dixie educator facilitates the hands-on exploration of WNY’s ancient environment while discussing the animals that lived in our area 380 million years ago during the Devonian Period. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of fossils and fossilization.

Dig In can be catered to explorers of all ages and abilities, but is recommended for ages 5+.

After the program is over, you keep the reusable dig boxes full of rocks and fossils, along with teaching materials, so that you can recreate the fossil fun for years to come!

Program capacity:

Dig In can be booked for up to 32 participants at a time. If your group size is larger than 32 people, you will need to book an additional program(s). One dig box is suitable for up to four people. Dig box dimensions: 5 inches high, 8.25 inches wide, 13.5 inches long.

Pricing:

For groups of 16 participants or less: $200 (Plus mileage)
For groups of 17 – 32 participants: $250 (Plus mileage)
For evening programs with a start time of 5 pm or later, an additional $25 charge will be added.

Includes:

1 hour program with a Penn Dixie educator
Reusable dig boxes (with shale and fossils)
Replacement fossils
“Free Child Admission with Purchase of Adult Admission” coupons (optional)
All of the teaching materials needed so that you can recreate Dig In again and again!

Use the form below to request this program! You can also call 716-627-4560, with questions or to book.

We’re Hiring!

February 2, 2023March 21, 2023Penn Dixie

Please note: we are no longer accepting applications for educators for the 2023 season.

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Natural Reserve is a top-ranked destination for science enthusiasts of all ages. With a mission of hands-on science education, we encourage our visitors to learn about the natural world in an outdoors setting. Our programs emphasize natural history — including geology and paleontology, ecology, astronomy, local history, and other STEM fields. We serve 18,000 guests annually, including many who travel across the country to dig our fossils and explore our park.

Educators are the initial connection that visitors have with Penn Dixie. Educators are responsible for introducing Penn Dixie to guests, from admission to departure. The ideal candidate is driven to provide an outstanding learning experience for visitors of all abilities and backgrounds. Educators are expected to be friendly, helpful, and consistently maintain a positive attitude despite the challenge of working outdoors with large groups of visitors. Candidates do not need a formal background in geology or paleontology, but must be willing to learn!

Please note that this position is seasonal and part-time. Educators are needed late April through late October. Flexible start and end dates can be discussed based on an individual’s need (ex. leaving for college). Starting salary is $15 / hour.

Essential Functions

Provide tours for guests (various group sizes)
Demonstrate enthusiastic and welcome behavior at all times.
Greet guests, accept admissions, conduct introductions, guide guests throughout the site.
Monitor and enforce safety rules.
Ensures cleanliness and organization throughout the site, including, but not limited to, collecting, cleaning and sorting fossils, organizing and filling “fossil grab bags”, garbage pick up, light trail maintenance.
Provide excellent customer service and be knowledgeable in Penn Dixie’s science, history, and programming (training provided).
Explain and promote Penn Dixie programs, membership, gift shop merchandise, birthday parties, and special events.
Respond to guest needs immediately, including issues requiring first aid.

Requirements and Qualifications

Documentation of U.S. citizenship or proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
Obtain criminal background check clearance.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays and evenings.
Knowledge or interest in science.
Proficiency with tablets, smartphones, and various applications.
CPR and First Aid certifications (may be provided if employee is not currently certified)
Must have your own reliable transportation to/from work.

Experience, Skills and Personal Qualities Required

Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Friendly, positive attitude
Comfortable speaking in front of groups
Exceptional customer service skills
Detail-oriented
Reliable and punctual
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills

Physical Demands

Speaking in small and large groups
Walking and standing outdoors, sometimes for extended periods
Bending/stooping frequently
Dealing with highly variable weather conditions
Ability to lift/carry up to 40 lbs

Free Admission on October 10th!

September 15, 2022October 11, 2022Penn Dixie

In recognition of Indigenous People’s Day, we are offering free admission on Monday, October 10th! The park opens 9 am and closes at 4:30 pm, final entry is at 2:45 pm. The first tour of the day departs at 9:15 am, with tours running every 30 minutes until the final tour at 2:45 pm.

We provide complimentary buckets and trowels to use while fossil hunting, as well as small bags to bring your fossils home in. Many of our visitors solely use a bucket and trowel if they’re planning to surface collect. We have a limited number of tool rentals available for $5 per set. Tools are rented on a first come, first served basis. Each set includes a small sledge hammer, a geologist’s hammer, chisel, safety goggles, knee pad, and bucket.

Registration is not required, but if you would like to guarantee a specific tour time, you can pre-register online.

Pre-Register Here

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.

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.