Additional thanks to Dave Shaver, Bob Higgins, Dave McGinnis, Merry Bacon, Clay Kyte and Bianca Santucci for their suggestions and support relative to this research publication. I am indebted to Lindsay McClelland, the co-editor of this volume, for the many contributions that help promote the management and protection of paleontological resources in the national parks. Special thanks to Arvid Aase, seasonal paleontologist at Fossil Butte, for spending many hours of precious time during the summer field season to ensure this document is high quality. It is difficult to imagine how the NPS Paleontological Resource Program would have the current level of success without the generous and enthusiastic contributions of these volunteers. Finally, through the combined efforts of the men and women already mentioned, along with many others, the NPS Paleontological Resource Program continues to flourish.
Many research questions remain to be explored within the national parks.
Likewise, the increasing numbers of paleontological inventories being initiated in parks will certainly uncover clues buried in sediments and provide for a new and greater understanding of the ancient world. Parks are not merely beautiful and scenic places to visit, they also provide paleontologists with tremendous research opportunities.