Upcoming events

    • Sat, March 30, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • North Sulphur River
    Register

    Unlimited but need to sign up

    Details available in March newsletter, the Fossil Record

    DPS Members Only

    • Sun, April 07, 2024
    • 12:45 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Midlothian, Texas
    • 37

    Ash Grove Cement Quarry Field Trip

    Sunday, April 7 @ 12:45 PM, CDT

    This quarry is just southwest of Dallas near Midlothian off state Hwy 67. We’ll be collecting the ATCO member of the Austin Chalk just above the Eagle Ford Shale (Upper Cretaceous Period). In this narrow horizon, we’ll be looking principally for shark teeth: Cretodus, Cretoxyrhina, Ptychodus, Squalicorax and other shark and ray teeth. Other possible finds include marine vertebrates such as mosasaur, turtle and bony fish material in addition to the usual assortment of marine invertebrates.

    The good news is that no collectors have been in this quarry in over 6 months. The quarry opened a new shale pit last year and dumped their dredgings beside the pit. Now those have had some time to weather.

    We have formulated this outing as a joint field trip with the Houston Gem and Mineral Society where we can bring in 40 people and they can have 20. We’re trying to make collecting at Ash Grove mutually beneficial because once a group hits the quarry, it’s dead for at least 6 months due to the limited collecting area.

    Society management has been given first priority to sign-up for the trip in reparation for the time they dedicate to the DPS. (You may want to consider volunteering). Then ADULT DPS MEMBERS whose memberships are current will be able to SIGNUP Starting at noon on Monday, April 1. Signup is via our website: www.dallaspalo.org where you must log in then select ‘Events and Trips’. If the attendance limit has not been reached by Friday, April 5 at noon, then the signups will be opened to families which can include children at least 12 years old.

    Those making the sign-up list will be provided a map to the meeting place (not the main plant entrance) and will be asked to download, print and sign the company’s Recreational Use Release form to be turned in on the day of the trip - REQUIRED. We will send out this information to you once the signup limit is reached.

    We will collect from 1:00 – 5:00 PM.  Closed-toed shoes (ankle-high boots are best), eye protection and high-visibility, safety vests are required.  People need to bring their own eye protection and safety vests, if possible, since the quarry has a limited supply, if needed. Most of the collecting is on the surface, but you may need a rock hammer as well as suitable collecting containers. Insect repellent may be useful since some of the areas are overgrown or contain mosquitos. A 4’+ rattlesnake was observed on the backside of the property on our last trip. The usual hydration and sun protection is wise.

    People can exit the quarry whenever they want for any reason.

    Contact Roger Farish with questions: rffarish@verizon.net or 972-898-2700 on trip day. Also, because access to the quarry can change due to weather or other conditions, please call our HotLine 817-355-4693 to ensure the trip is still happening.


    • Sat, April 13, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Moss Creek
    Register

    Unlimited but need to sign up.

    Registration Open

    DPS Members Only

Who we are

The DPS is a group of professional and amateur paleontologists that want to exchange information, interact, and continue their education in paleontology.  We meet once a month on the second Wednesday evening of the month at Brookhaven College, Building H.



The FBI

If you have a question, if you have a fossil that you cannot identify, or need a site investigation, contact the Fossil Bureau of Investigation for help.

Contact Us at 817-355-4693 





Why join us

We have fun.

We learn stuff.

We go cool places.

We find interesting things.

We make new friends.



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