Description
The Paleontology Division at the Museum of Texas Tech University explores 260 million years of the history of life, a time span extending from before the Age of Dinosaurs to the Ice Age. Our mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and communicate information about the deep history of life in western Texas and other parts of the world. Over the past 50 years we have amassed a significant collection of fossils of prehistoric mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and other organisms, including some of the oldest known dinosaurs. We work primarily in western Texas, coordinating with local landowners to explore the rich fossil record in our state. However, our collections and fieldwork have extended to other parts of the world, including Antarctica. Your generous donations have helped this work enormously.
Uncovering the history of life begins with field explorations to locate, excavate, and collect fossil remains, clean and preserve them in our lab and collections, and conduct research. However, the ultimate goal of the Paleontology Division is to connect the people of western Texas to the deep history in their backyards, which we do through outreach and engagement activities such as events hosted at the museum, school visits, and online educational resources. Your support is vitally important in helping us to fulfill these goals.
How You Can Make an Impact
Your generous donations will help us at every step in the process of communicating the history of life to the public, from the discovery of fossils in our region to the distribution of the knowledge we gain to the public. In donating, you play a critical role in making sure that our rich fossil heritage is preserved and appreciated by the people of western Texas.
Challenge
During Texas Tech University’s Day of Giving, your gift to the Paleontology Outreach Gift Fund can make an even bigger impact. Thanks to a 1:1 matching gift opportunity provided by the Franklin Trust, every dollar contributed will be doubled—up to $5,000—helping to advance community education and outreach in paleontology.