For more than a decade, the North Dakota Geological Survey Paleontology (NDGS Paleontology) Public Fossil Dig Program has promoted public understanding of the importance of North Dakota’s fossil resources through education and outreach activities.
We are currently seeking sponsorships for the Public Fossil Digs!
The Public Fossil Digs take place from mid-June through mid-August, with more than 500 dig spots available to participants. Anyone over the age of 10 is invited to help us excavate fossils for a small daily fee, and we are the lowest costs fossil dig program in the country. It is our mission to keep this once-in-a-lifetime education opportunity accessible to everyone in North Dakota, regardless of income level. With rising costs of supplies and transportation, we are looking to our sponsors to help keep digs affordable for all participants.
Sponsors will be highlighted on social media, our website, and all related print material and press-releases. In addition, sponsor logos will be featured on the staff uniform shirts, worn daily, and seen by all participants!
Sponsor the Bismarck Dig!
$ 750
- Our most popular and ONLY dinosaur dig! This site is in the Hell Creek Formation where we find teeth from Tyrannosaurus, bones from Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, plus crocodiles and other creatures too!
Sponsor the Medora Dig!
$ 500
- In Medora, we dig in Sentinel Butte Formation rocks, 55-60-million-years old full of a variety of crocodiles, giant salamanders, fish, champsosaurs, clams, snails, and more.
Sponsor the Medora Dig!
$ 500
- This site is ~32-30- million-years-old and has fossils from many mammal groups still seen today, including rhinos, horses, camels, hell pigs, nimravids , rodents, bats, and more.
Sponsor the Pembina Dig!
$ 500
- The 80-million-year old Pierre Formation was once home to great swimming reptiles called mosasaurs, giant squid, sea turtles, birds, fish, snails, clams, and more.
**Note: Logos must be sent to ndpaleofriends@gmail.com by 4/15/2023 to be included on 2023 t-shirts!