NaturePlus: Identification: Fossil collecting tips!

SPECIMEN LABELS are very important because they provide information that will help with identification and provide useful scientific data (without this information specimens have not scientific value). Please feel free to adapt the specimen labels in the document attached

TIPS

1. Print specimen labels before you visit a locality, this will make collecting quicker and easier.

You can adapt the specimen labels attached and insert your name to save time and effort.What to include?
exact location: name of beach/field/garden/farm
Was it loose on the ground or dug up?
name of town
county
country

2. If you don't have a label, even a scrap of paper will do ....(I have inserted bus and train tickets which show the date and destination).

3. Keep specimen labels, a pencil and notebook handy along with plastic bags so you can wrap and label your specimens as soon as you find them.

4. Newspaper is very useful for wrapping specimens, which also prevents them drying out too quickly

THE FOSSIL COLLECTOR'S TOOLKIT:	Always follow the Geological Code
THE FOSSIL COLLECTOR'S TOOLKIT: hand lens notebook, pencil and marker pen newspaper for wrapping specimens, which also prevents them drying out too quickly appropriate footwear and clothing long-handed trowel, fork, long shoe-horn for overturning small nodules camera First Aid kit hygienic wipes water and a snack! A hammer is useful, but do remember to wear goggles when splitting rocks. Brushes and a sieve can be useful to avoid carrying unnecessary sand or clay Always follow the Geological Code: http://www.rockwatch.org.uk/geological_code.html The Scottish code may be found: http://www.scottishgeology.com/where-to-go/fossil-collecting/fossil-code/ Consider all aspects of heath and safety regarding the site and also from your perpective and the people with you. A useful place for fossil localities, the sorts of fossils that you might find, specific safety considerations and may be found here. You THere is oftehttp://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/locations.htm IMPORTANT - Check the times of tides before the visit The essentials of the Scottish Fossil Code: Seek permission – You are acting within the law if you obtain permission to extract, collect and retain fossils. Access responsibly – Consult the Scottish Outdoor Access Code prior to accessing land. Be aware that there are restrictions on access and collecting at some locations protected by statute. Collect responsibly – Exercise restraint in the amount collected and the equipment used. Be careful not to damage fossils and the fossil resource. Record details of both the location and the rocks from which fossils are collected. Seek advice – If you find an exceptional or unusual fossil do not try to extract it; but seek advice from an expert. Also seek help to identify fossils or dispose of an old collection. Label and look after – Collected specimens should be labelled and taken good care of. Donate – If you are considering donating a fossil or collection choose an Accredited museum, or one local to the collection area. The Code and associated leaflet may be viewed and downloaded from www.snh.gov.uk. - See more at: http://www.scottishgeology.com/where-to-go/fossil-collecting/fossil-code/#sthash.UjwF72sd.dpuf

THE FOSSIL COLLECTOR'S TOOLKIT:

Always follow the Geological Code

THE FOSSIL COLLECTOR'S TOOLKIT:

hand lens
notebook, pencil and marker pen
newspaper for wrapping specimens, which also prevents them drying out too quickly
appropriate footwear and clothing
long-handed trowel, fork, long shoe-horn for overturning small nodules
camera
First Aid kit
hygienic wipes
water and a snack!

A hammer is useful, but do remember to wear goggles when splitting rocks.

Brushes and a sieve can be useful to avoid carrying unnecessary sand or clay

Always follow the Geological Code: http://www.rockwatch.org.uk/geological_code.html

The Scottish code may be found: http://www.scottishgeology.com/where-to-go/fossil-collecting/fossil-code/

Consider all aspects of heath and safety regarding the site and also from your perpective and the people with you. A useful place for fossil localities, the sorts of fossils that you might find, specific safety considerations and may be found here. You THere is oftehttp://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/locations.htm

IMPORTANT - Check the times of tides before the visit

The essentials of the Scottish Fossil Code:

Seek permission – You are acting within the law if you obtain permission to extract, collect and retain fossils.
Access responsibly – Consult the Scottish Outdoor Access Code prior to accessing land.

Be aware that there are restrictions on access and collecting at some locations protected by statute.

Collect responsibly – Exercise restraint in the amount collected and the equipment used.
- Be careful not to damage fossils and the fossil resource.
- Record details of both the location and the rocks from which fossils are collected.
Seek advice – If you find an exceptional or unusual fossil do not try to extract it;
- but seek advice from an expert.
- Also seek help to identify fossils or dispose of an old collection.

Label and look after – Collected specimens should be labelled and taken good care of.
Donate – If you are considering donating a fossil or collection choose an Accredited museum,

or one local to the collection area.

The Code and associated leaflet may be viewed and downloaded from www.snh.gov.uk. - See more at: http://www.scottishgeology.com/where-to-go/fossil-collecting/fossil-code/#sthash.UjwF72sd.dpuf