TBFC Season 2023-2024 updates:
Next Club Meeting is May 4, 2024 @ 7pm EDT in the USF Behavioral Science Room #103 (In-Person)

Next Peace River Monthly Trip: May 11, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only and water levels permitting) - Zolfo Springs Guage
Next Brooksville Trip: May 22, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only. Limit 20 People)
Next CEMEX Center Hill Trip: May 29, 2024 (Paid, Active Members only. Limit 20 People)
Check the Field Trips page or the Calendar for details!

June 8 - End of Season Dinner! (Details in the May Chonicles)

May 4th is the Last Meeting until September! Have a great Summer everyone!

President's Message

2023-2024 Season

Tampa Bay Fossil Club

2023-2024 Season Comes to an End, Almost!

It feels like just yesterday that we were busy making plans to start TBFC’s season, and just like that, it’s nearly over. Short of the Peace River Adventure, things are back to normal. FossilFest came off without a hitch (thanks to all of you). There are still plenty of events left before TBFC takes a much deserved summer hiatus.

If you’re new to TBFC you may not know that we shut down for the summer. TBFC will host our end of the season dinner on June 8, but there will be no regular monthly meetings held in June, July, or August. This will be your last update for this season, so be sure to check the calendar and field trip pages for TBFC’s remaining events.

Read the Chronicles each month (Members Only), check the calendar here on the TBFC website, and follow us on Facebook. Also, please be very cautious while venturing out into the rivers and creeks. There’s nothing in those rivers worth dying for.

Closed for Summer

Our season has come to an end. As I have reported to you many times in the past, it is an honor and a privilege to serve and represent the Tampa Bay Fossil Club and its many fine members. I want to thank the great support staff behind me in the Officers, Directors, and many of you members who volunteer to help TBFC excel to the exceptional level it has in both the public and scientific communities. Without all of you, none of what TBFC accomplishes each season would be possible.

Thanks for the adventure TBFC!

Good Hunting,

Mike Searle

Missed a meeting or just want to watch it again? You can view our past meeting recordings or live streams in the playlist below (Also found in the About section):

Announcements

May 4, 2024
An Overview of the Florida Geological Survey and Museum
Guy “Harley” Means, P.G., State Geologist
Director of the Florida Geological Survey
7PM IN-PERSON CLUB MEETING at the USF Behavioral Science Room #103

The Florida Geological Survey (FGS), located in Tallahassee, Florida, was established in 1907. Since then, the FGS has worked tirelessly to execute their mission which is to collect, interpret, maintain, and distribute geologic information to benefit Florida. Today, the FGS is a Division within the Regulatory Programs of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The FGS currently has 33 full time employees, as well as a number of OPS and interns, organized into five sections. Harley’s talk will provide attendees with an overview of the FGS including its history, ongoing projects and resources that are available to our customers. Many of our resources are of interest to the fossil collecting community including geologic maps, paleontological reports, and our newly renovated Walter Schmidt Museum of Florida Geology.

Guy (“Harley”) Means is the State Geologist and Director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of the Florida Geological Survey. He earned both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in geology from Florida State University and is a licensed Florida Professional Geologist. During his 25-year career with the FGS, Means has served as a board member or delegate for multiple organizations including the Southeastern Geological Society, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, and Florida Paleontological Society and currently serves on the Florida Board of Professional Geologists. He has also served on multiple graduate student committees and is a courtesy assistant scholar scientist at Florida State University. He has given more than one hundred invited lectures and presentations on a broad range of geologic topics and has authored more than 70 publications and abstracts. We look forward to meeting with Harley at Mays TBFC meeting.

Tampa Bay Fossil Chronicles

Hopefully you’ve noticed that TBFC has stepped up its game with the newsletter each month. In addition to all of our regular contributors, we’ve added two new recurring articles this season. “In Touch with Inverts” by Rob Carlson was added in September. Recently added, “Paleo Analysis” by Steve Vicari. Each month Steve will be discussing interesting prehistoric fauna and how they relate to extant species.

Please check out all of the articles in each issue. Only TBFC members receive the Chronicles, we don’t post it online or on Facebook.

Be sure to renew your Fossil Permits!