About us

What do we do?

VanPS members at a field trip near Cranbrook, 2022

We hold meetings featuring talks from both amateur and professional paleontologists on various aspects of paleontology. We also organize field trips throughout the year, ranging from local day trips to weekend trips. We find fossils on every trip! Once a year, we may plan a week-long trip to reach fossils further afield. Past trips have taken us deep into the BC Interior, over to Vancouver Island or down to Washington State, and even further away. Younger members, accompanied by a responsible adult, are welcome on our field trips. Pets are not allowed.

We are part of the British Columbia Paleontological Alliance (BCPA). We promote safe and responsible fossil collecting. Please review our Code of Ethics and the BCPA’s fossil collecting policies.

What are the goals of the VanPS?

  1. To promote public awareness of our fossil heritage.
  2. To promote safe and responsible fossil collecting.
  3. To provide educational information about ancient life through field trips, presentations and displays.
  4. To bring together amateurs and professionals who share a common interest in fossils.

How do I join?

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in fossils. Our meetings are free and open to the public, however a membership is required if you wish to attend our field trips. Current annual dues are Can$30 (for individuals and families). A membership entitles you and your family to access the BCPA Journal and to attend all VanPS field trips, as well as field trips organized by the other regional societies that are part of the BCPA. 

Please see our Membership page to purchase or renew your membership.

When and where are the meetings and field trips held?

Please see our Calendar page for information on our meetings and field trips.

Our meetings are free and open to the public and we host them in-person and/or on Zoom. Members of the executive will be available to answer your questions.

VanPS Executive

Chair: Perry Poon
Vice-chair: John Fam
Treasurer: Laura Termes
Secretary: Lorice Martens
Director: Brennan Martens
Director: Ji Ai Cho
Director: Leon Pham
Director: Dan Bowden
Website Admin: Sahar Pakzad

Affiliation

The Vancouver Paleontological Society is a member of the British Columbia Paleontological Alliance (BCPA). The BCPA is a broadly-based umbrella organization of professional and amateur paleontologists belonging to regional societies on the west coast of Canada. The Alliance strives to enhance knowledge about paleontology in the Cordillera and to promote the responsible collection of fossils.

The BCPA also attempts to open lines of communication among universities, museums, government agencies and individuals concerned with fossils throughout British Columbia. The Alliance is particularly interested in fostering interactions among all amateur and professional paleontologists.

For information about the BCPA, please visit bcpaleontology.ca