In this program, we’ll learn about some of the plant fossils that Tom Farrell has collected from the eastern anthracite fields of Pennsylvania. These fields run from near Shamokin Dam in the south west up past Scranton in the northeast. Most of the collecting sites are old, unreclaimed strip mines or mine spoil piles. We’ll discover some background on how the coal got there, the ecosystem that existed then, and examine numerous examples of the many different plant fossils Tom has found. All in person attendees will be able to pick out a free plant fossil for their collections.
Tom Farrell is retired and has been collecting fossils for 25 years. He mostly collects Carboniferous stuff or older so not much of the “new” fossils along the bay. He belongs to 5 fossil clubs including NHSM and has been a member of at least 3 others in the past. He’s collected from Tennessee to Indiana to New York and Quebec to North Carolina and most every state in between.
This event will occur in person at the museum; it will also be broadcast live on Zoom. All registrants will receive the Zoom link.
Natural History Society of Maryland’s Fossil Club is a group of novice and more experienced collectors who meet to exchange knowledge and help with fossil identification, discuss fossil locations, as well as other fossil related topics. Monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at the Natural History Society of Maryland. Due to COVID, NHSM is opening up this club meeting to all. Non-members are asked to donate $5. If you are a fossil enthusiast, please consider joining (https://www.marylandnature.org/club-membership/). NHSM membership is $25 for individuals, $35 for families. The Natural History Society of Maryland is a volunteer-led non-profit organization, so the fee you pay will go directly to support the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible.
Learn more about NHSM Clubs: https://youtu.be/pIA7naRjXws
Location
