The interest and excitement caused by the initial discovery in 1988 of the Elasmosaur fossil in the Puntledge River grew during the excavation

as more bones were discovered.

Dr. Rolf Ludvigsen, a professional paleontologist

and Mike Trask, an amateur paleontologist

co-ordinated the dig with dozens of volunteers assisting.

Dr. Rolf Ludvigsen & Mike Trask in photos.

Who We Are:

The Vancouver Island Paleontological Society began

as a small group meeting in 1991/92 and by 1993 membership had grown to 250.

In 1992 the VIPS passed a motion to encourage the formation of a provincial umbrella group to act as an advocate to promote interaction among organization concerned with B.C. fossils.  Through the efforts of

Dr. Rolf Ludvigsen and others the first meeting of the

Board of Directors of the B.C. Paleontological Alliance

met in 1993.

In 1994 the membership of the VIPS split into three regional societies, the original VIPS, the new VanPS, and the new VIPMS.

Shortly after in 1995 the VicPS formed and in 1996 the Thompson-Nicola Paleontological Society finally received official status.  By the year 2000 the newest Paleontological Society will be formed in Prince George (NBCPS).