The Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society is an official National Fossil Day Partner.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: 45 Million Years of Mammalian Menageries. The artwork features the trasnsition from a forest-dominated habitat to a more open woodland, and eventually to open sagebrush steppe. The unique plants and animals depicted in this piece offer clues to this environmental transition. The Ekgmowechashala (“little cat man” in Sioux), a small lemur-like primate with teeth specialized to eat soft fruits and insects; two perissodactyls, the three-toed horse Miohippus annectens and the two-horn rhino Diceratherium annectens. Miohippus annectens was a small horse that had an adult weight between 25 to 30 kg and evolved into lineages with traits suited for either forest or open grasslands; two carnivorans: the false sabertoothed cat Nimravus brachyops and the little “bone crushing” dog Cynarctoides lemur.
The National Park Service and the American Geological Institute are partnering to host the annual National Fossil DayTM on October 15, 2025 during Earth Science Week.
National Fossil DayTM is a celebration organized to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational value.
Learn more about the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and the 2025 National Fossil Day Art Work
How To Participate:
20 Ideas to Discover Fossils – Learn about fossils and paleontology in National Parks.
Prehistoric Life in National Parks Coloring Book – featuring 40 drawings of ancient plants and animals that have been found fossilized in national parks.
Dinosaurs!—Prehistoric Life in National Parks & NNLs Coloring Pages – 15 individual coloring book pages.
Fossil Footprints Across Our National Parks – Take a virtual ranger guided hike through time and across parks!
Fossilization Challenge – Can you survive the fossilization challenge and be discovered by a paleontologist?
Rocks and Minerals – Learn about Rocks, Minerals and Beach Materials. Watch featured video “Rock or Mineral – What’s the Difference”.
National Park Paleontology Newsletter – serves to communicate information related to National Park fossil interpretation, protection, resource management, new discoveries, and issues related to the world of paleontology and paleontological resources management.
Ventura County is home to a wide range of fossils
S
ea Cow
In 2017 and 2018, Dr. Jonathan Hoffman from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History excavated the skull and skeleton of a potentially new species of sea cow on Santa Rosa Island. The fossils from that excavation also include mollusks and crabs that give researchers clues to what the environment was like millions of years ago.
Columbian Mammoth?
In September 2016, it was announced that the skull and tusks of “Larry” was discovered on Santa Rosa Island. The find appears to be a young Columbian Mammoth. Further research will be needed to confirm if it is a Pgmy, Columbian or something in between. The nickname honors the discoverer, Peter Larramendy, and leading mammoth expert Larry Agenbroad.
Pygmy Mammoth
The most complete Pygmy Mammoth ever found, was discovered in 1994, on Santa Rosa Island. A replica can be seen for free at the Channel Islands National Park Visitors Center.
“Emma” The Moorpark Mammoth
In April 2005, a Southern Mammoth fossil was discovered in Moorpark during the construction of new homes. In the same location, parts of a Columbian Mammoth, Western horse, a large-headed llama, a rabbit, a kangaroo rat and other rodent ancestors were discovered. A Mammoth Sculpture for Kids to Play on is a feature of the Mammoth Highlands Park in Moorpark.
Photos courtesy of WM Lyons Homes
-
- “Emma” The Moorpark Mammoth
-
- Documenting the Find
-
- Fossil wrapped in protective plaster before removal
The Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society organizes local Field Trips to collect clam shells and whale fossils.
Ventura County Clams
As part of the Tri-County Education Committee, we have donated two general Fossil Boxes to the Ventura County Library System. These Boxes are available for Educators to check out.