We propose a one-year collaboration between the new mexico bureau of land management (BLM) and denver museum of nature science (dmns) to prepare, stabilize, house, catalog, and database vertebrate…

We propose a one-year collaboration between the new mexico bureau of land management (BLM) and denver museum of nature science (dmns) to prepare, stabilize, house, catalog, and database vertebrate fossils from the fruitland and kirtland formations in northwestern new mexico. Since 2014, dmns has conducted extensive field research in these formations, collecting vertebrate fossils to understand late cretaceous ecosystems. The dmns team has identified fossil-rich sites, producing diverse assemblages from 76-73 million years ago, enhancing our understanding of dinosaur evolution.to make these fossils accessible for research, they need to be cleaned, prepared, stabilized, and housed in archival materials. The primary goal is to stabilize and RE-house fossils from new mexico BLM lands, complete their curation, and share specimen information on open-access databases for global scientific use. This project will preserve the natural heritage of the southwest and make these specimens accessible for current and future paleontologists.additionally, we aim to train the next generation of scientists by offering two internship opportunities. Interns will work with earth sciences staff, learning fossil preparation and collections management. The dmns internship program has a history of success, with many interns advancing to graduate programs and careers in related fields. We request support for two 20-week interns and necessary supplies for fossil preparation and curation. This project will engage the public through on-site activities at dmns, such as lab window displays and special events. Select fossils will be 3D scanned and made available on morphosource and the dmns online database. The project benefits BLM by improving access to paleontological resources and enhancing collaboration with dmns to highlight the educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational value of these fossils. IT will also help the management studies support program meet resource management goals by providing detailed locality information and assisting in the management of cultural heritage data. Additionally, the project will train future cultural resource managers and paleontologists through practical experience and research promotion.