The paleontologist turns teacher, hoping to spark the light of scientific inquiry in the minds of children. Not long ago, a North Dakotan would have to travel to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington to see prehistoric fossils on display. Now, there are several exhibits throughout the state. North Dakota made a commitment to preserving its wealth of fossils in 1989, when the legislature passed a fossil protection law. Through a permit process, Hoganson helps regulate who digs for what on public land.
Any fossil found on public land belongs to the state.
He has helped form agreements with federal agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers, so that the state will work with them on fossils found on federal land in North Dakota. But fossils found on private property belong to the landowner. That's problematic because of the market value of some fossils as hard times in agriculture continue, Hoganson says. Commercial contractors have been making deals with landowners to remove fossils from the state. Hoganson says the state got lucky with the mosasaur, which was discovered on private land but donated to the state by the landowner.