Community Fossil Dig Is Back!

Posted October 1, 2021

Living Crinoid

Fossil Crinoids

Discover and collect fossils from a quarry containing a rich trove of ancient life and learn about the natural history of our region. The popular Community Fossil Dig, organized by the Merrill Linn Conservancy, returns on Sunday, September 25, from 11 am to 3 pm. Arrive anytime.

You can expect to find 390 million-year-old marine fossils. The most abundant are brachiopods and crinoids. Trilobites, bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods, corals, and bryozoans are not as common, but have been found here.

Geology professors and students from Bucknell will guide exploration and identification of your fossil finds. They will have examples of common fossils on display.

Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. Hammer, chisel, and safety or sunglasses are optional. A limited supply of equipment will be available to borrow. Please note: there are no modern bathroom facilities at the site. At Spring Township Shale Pit on Shale Pit Road in Beaver Springs. Questions? Call 570-524-2959 or email [email protected].

GPS coordinates: 40.45.695N, 77.13.724W.

Directions to Shale Pit Road, Beaver Springs:

From Mifflinburg, take PA-104 south 4 miles to Penns Creek. Turn right onto Troxelville Road and continue 8.5 miles to Troxelville. Bear left onto PA-235 for 2.5 miles. After Beaver Springs Dragway, turn right onto Middle Creek Road and continue 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Shale Pit Road and continue 0.5 miles. Fossil quarry will be on right.
From Middleburg, take PA-522 west 9.3 miles to Beaver Springs. After Beaver Creek Tractor, turn right onto Ridge Road, continue 1 mile. Turn right onto Stage Road and continue 1 mile. Take a sharp right onto Shale Pit Road and continue 1.2 miles. Fossil quarry and parking will be on left.