Fossils, furs and a few sparks at Kemmerer Outdoor Discovery Day

Sparks flew as Jason Dabling, archaeologist and paleontological coordinator for BLM Wyoming's Kemmerer Field Office, struck a flint against steel, and a second grader was hooked. Then she spotted the fossils, animal pelts and a table full of things she wanted to touch.

She and her mother spent more than 30 minutes at BLM Wyoming’s displays during Kemmerer Outdoor Discovery Day on Sept. 12. Dabling showed her how to make sparks, and she kept moving between the tables with another question. She even asked about the computer Francine Schoen, a land law examiner for the BLM Wyoming's Kemmerer Field Office, was using to help visitors with recreation passes.

“The second grader stayed looking, touching and asking questions about everything we had,” said Dabling.

The U.S. Forest Service hosted the fifth annual event at Triangle Park with help from the BLM and other partners. This was the Kemmerer Field Office’s fourth year participating. Staff brought two tents and two tables filled with local wildlife specimens, fossils and objects that children could examine up close.

Wildlife biologists Alisa Bartos and David Merz brought animal specimens, including a bat that surprised children with its small size. Beaver, weasel and ermine pelts gave visitors a chance to feel the differences between them. At another table, Archaeologist Linda Goetz created a mock dig with soil layers to show children what archaeologists look for beneath the surface.

Dabling brought casts of projectile points from the region, fossils and a mountain man display with fire-starting materials such as flint, steel and charcloth. Children tried making sparks with flint and steel while parents asked where their families could look for fossils or watch wildlife.

Seymour the Antelope, the BLM's official mascot, gave children another reason to stop. Rangeland Management Specialist Cari Forsgren spent the warm day in the costume with ice packs and a cooling vest. Jerry Frimml helped her get around, while Contact Representative Samantha Williams welcomed visitors to the tables. Schoen also helped families with recreation passes.

Dabling has seen some of the same families at the event year after year. Their children have grown, and each year they come with new questions. Other visitors are just learning about the public lands around Kemmerer and what they can do there.

When visitors ask where to begin exploring the area’s fossil history, Dabling often points them toward Oyster Ridge, which stretches more than 100 miles and passes near the field office. He also mentioned a fossil site east of Woodruff Reservoir, north of Evanston. Private quarries near Kemmerer offer fossil digs for a fee. Visitors should check with the field office before collecting fossils on public lands to learn where collecting is allowed.

By answering questions and sharing places to explore, the Kemmerer Field Office staff helped families discover what nearby public lands have to offer. That work reflects the goals of All Americans Outside, the BLM’s nationwide initiative to help more Americans, regardless of ability, enjoy their public lands.

Dabling saw plenty of curiosity and smiles that day. He hopes families bring that curiosity on their next visit to public lands, along with a better understanding of the people who care for the places they visit.

“I hope families left with a better understanding of what we do at the BLM, where they can go, what they can discover, and how we can help them get started,” said Dabling.