Some information about our Society

BPS fossil field trip collage

Welcome to the BPS Web Site!

The Birmingham Paleontological Society consists of an active group of people who enjoy learning about or teaching the science of paleontology. We enjoy collecting fossils for our own private collection, collecting items for research, learning about the significance of finds, and being in the outdoors. Professionals benefit by having access to eager hands for help with their projects. BPS has a fossil dig once each month, normally in Alabama, and occasionally visits a nearby state.

The Birmingham Paleontological Society meets at 7:00 PM on the first Monday of every month at the Hoover Public Library, downstairs.  Monthly programs are related to paleontology or geology, and there is usually a show-and-tell. We also have workshops on fossil preparation, casting, and cataloging.

The objectives of the Birmingham Paleontological Society are:

1. To promote cooperation between amateur and professional paleontologists and geologists to their mutual benefit, specifically, relating to scientific research and membership education.

2. To educate the general public in areas of natural history relating to paleontology and geology. This will be accomplished by leading public field trips and presenting exhibits and programs.

3. To assist in endeavors relating to the preservation and conservation of significant paleontological sites or specimens.


If you are interested in joining the Birmingham Paleontological Society, please attend a meeting or field trip to pick up a membership application. Applicants must sign the membership form and agree to abide by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Birmingham Paleontological Society, as well as sign a trip waiver for each field trip.

The Geological Survey of Alabama offers Topographic Maps/quad maps for Alabama, Special Map 220A, which is a free digital geologic map of Alabama on a CD, and an interactive online geology/ topo map. They offer numerous free publications, many of which can be downloaded.