Professional Organizations

 

Professional Organizations

These professional organizations and societies are open to anyone with an interest in Paleontology!

 

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Mission: “The purpose of the American Geophysical Union is to promote discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.”

Membership open to:

  • Anyone interested in Geophysics/Geosciences

Read more about membership and membership benefits here!

Meetings:

 

 

 

Association for Materials and Methods in Paleontology (AMMP)

Mission: The Association for Materials and Methods in Paleontology advances paleontological research through education and advocacy for improved ethics, standards, and practices in field, laboratory, and analytical methods.”

Membership open to:

  • Professionals
  • Volunteers
  • Nonprofessionals

Read more about membership and membership benefits here! 

Meetings:

 

 

 

 

Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG)

Mission: “The Association for Women Geoscientists is an international organization devoted to enhancing the quality and level of participation of women in geosciences and to introduce girls and young women to geoscience careers. Membership is open to anyone who supports AWG’s goals.”

Membership open to:

  • Professional women and men from industry, government, museums, academia, and K-12 teachers
  • Students
  • Retirees
  • Others interested in supporting our goals

Read more about membership and membership benefits here! 

Meetings:

  • Annual Meeting at GSA, Local Chapters

 

 

 

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Geological Society of America (GSA)

Mission: “To advance geoscience research and discovery, service to society, stewardship of Earth, and the geosciences profession.”

Membership open to:

  • Professionals
  • Students
  • Affiliates (a person interested in geoscience but who does not have a degree in geology or related field)

Read more about membership and membership benefits here! 

Meetings:

Read more about FOSSIL and GSA:

 

 

 

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Mineralogical Society of America (MSA)

Mission: “The Mineralogical Society of America (MSA) was founded in 1919 for the advancement of mineralogy, crystallography, geochemistry, petrology, and promotion of their uses in other sciences, industry, and the arts. It encourages fundamental research about natural materials; supports the teaching of mineralogical concepts and procedures; and attempts to raise the scientific literacy of society with respect to issues involving mineralogy in the widest sense. The Society encourages the preservation of mineral collections, displays, mineral localities, type minerals and scientific data. MSA represents the United States internationally with regard to the science of mineralogy.“

Membership open to:

  • Membership in the Society is open to any person interested in mineralogy and related sciences regardless of residence or citizenship

Read more about membership and membership benefits here! 

Meetings:

 

 

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National Association of Black Geoscientists (NABG) 

Mission: “The National Association of Black Geologists and Geophysicists (NABGG) was organized to inform students of career opportunities that  exist in the field of Geosciences, encourage them to take advantage of scholarship programs, grant, loans, etc., that are established for minority students, give financial support to students pursuing degrees in Geology and Geophysics, follow the educational careers of the  scholarship recipients, aid minority students in the search for summer employment and aid corporate members interested in obtaining summer employees for positions that will enhance the students’ background and marketability, allow minority geologists and geophysicists to establish professional and inter-company relationships, assist in the development of professional standards and practices of members within their geoscience careers and entrepreneurial pursuits.”

Membership open to:

  • Professional – Must have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in the geosciences or related sciences (such as Earth and Planetary Sciences, Oceanography, Mining, etc.) from an accredited College or University and be currently or formerly engaged in practicing or teaching (at the College level or higher) geosciences and related fields.
  • Associate – Any person engaged in the geosciences who is a graduate of an accredited college or university.
  • Teacher – Any person who teaches Earth Sciences in the Kindergarten through Twelfth grade only (primary and secondary education only) – anyone who teaches at a college should apply for Professional or Associate Membership).
  • Student – Graduate or undergraduate student currently majoring in the geosciences or related discipline at an accredited university or college and in good academic standing.
  • Emeritus – Member over sixty five who has had a professional, associate, or teacher membership and has been engaged in practicing or teaching the geosciences for over 30 years (This is for information only – can not apply for this as a new member.)

Read more about membership and membership benefits here!

Meetings:

 

 

 

 

 

National Association of Geoscience Teachers

National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT)

Mission: “NAGT supports a diverse, inclusive, and thriving community of educators and education researchers to improve teaching and learning about the Earth.“

Membership open to:

  • individuals who are (or wish to be) engaged in some aspect of geoscience education or the gathering/dissemination of geoscience information

Read more about membership and membership benefits here!

 Meetings:

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Paleontological Society

Mission: “The Paleontological Society is an international nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to the advancement of the science of paleontology:  invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, micropaleontology, and paleobotany.”

Membership open to:

  • Professionals
  • Amateur/Avocational Paleontologists
  • Students
  • Retired Professionals
  • Teachers

Read more about membership and membership benefits here!

The Paleontological Society is reaching out to Amateur fossil collectors by introducing a new Amateur/Avocational membership category. This membership category, meant to entice amateurs, is set at a discounted rate of $30.00 and includes the benefits of regular membership, including FREE online access (past and present publications) to both the Journal of Paleontology and Paleobiology, FREE access to complete chapters of upcoming volumes of the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, and many more perks!

As part of their plan on working with the amateur paleontology community, the Paleontological Society is in the process of creating an “Avocational Corner” on their website which will serve as a resource to Amateur fossil collectors and stress the importance of amateurs in the field of paleontology.  The P.S. also opened their distinguished lecturer program to Amateur fossil clubs and organizations.  Finally, The P.S. has created an Avocational Liaison position, filled by an amateur, who advises the Council on Avocational matters and has also placed an amateur on their Government affairs committee.

The P.S. is just getting started as there are many more avocational goals in the works. If you would like to be part of the society, please join at the $30.00 avocational/educator discount rate!

Meetings:

 

 

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Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP)

Mission: The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology is a diverse organization of scientists, students, artists, preparators, advocates, writers and scholars across the globe, who are dedicated to the study, discovery, interpretation and preservation of vertebrate fossils.”

Membership categories include:

  • Regular (Any individual interested in vertebrate paleontology, including professional and avocational paleontologists.)
  • Students

Read more about membership and membership benefits here!

Meetings:

 

 

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The Society for Protection of Natural History Collections (SPNHC)

Mission: “The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections [SPNHC] is an international organization devoted to the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections.”

Membership open to:

  • SPNHC is a multidisciplinary organization composed of individuals who are interested in the development and preservation of natural history collections.
  • These include not just specimens, but also supporting documentation, such as audio-visual materials, labels, library materials, field data and similar archives. If you look after collections, use collections, or if you just have an interest in natural history, then you should be a SPNHC member.

Read more about membership and membership benefits here!

Meetings: