It all began in the summer of 2001 when I approached St Sen Gary George and St Rep Alan Brown about the steps required to get a designated "state fossil". (OMED: Mr. George and Mr. Brown are not saints  The "St" stands for "state.")
   Oregon already had the state rock (thunderegg) and state gemstone (sunstone), not to mention state animal, tree, song, dance and mushroom. 
   Both suggested I start with petitions and letter of support for a designation with a variety state-wide fossil interests (e.g. clubs, museums, schools, collectors). 

   I posted notes to a couple of paleo, fossil and rock news list-servs (e.g. PaleoNet, FossilNuts, Rocks-And-Gems) as well as every rock/fossil store with a 541 or 503 area code and an email address. Also posted emails to a variety of my friends and fossil associates - including Lyn Craig with the Bridge Flora B & B in Fossil (that's right), Oregon.  She is involved in economic development efforts around Wheeler County in Central Oregon, including a state-supported "Oregon Paleo Lands Institute" project in the region. We stay at Lynn's B&B when we go to Fossil (including my 50th birthday last year) and thought a state fossil designation would 
help promote the region as well as the state's fossil assets. 

   We both contacted Dr William Orr, the state paleontologist and one of the key folks who managed the Condon Museum of Natural History on the University of Oregon campus. 
   We agreed to pursue the state fossil designation with one small twist.  Rather than taking a popularity contest approach (as was done with the state rock), we would recommend a specific fossil for the designation. 
   (OMED: obviously, fossil guy is an elitist.)
   I requested project support in Jan 2002 from the Paleo Project board of directors and starting making contacts with legislators during the various primary and general election campaigns. 
   We also re-approached the Paleo Project Board of Directors in January (this year), to re-affirm their support for pursuit of a state fossil designation as well as nominating "Metasequoia" as our primary candidate for the designation. 

   Dr Orr recommended the "Metasequoia" for a couple of key reasons - the least of which is that it was a very dominant plant species in Central Oregon over 50-million years ago. And, while the plant became extinct (or was thought to be so), expeditions in remote parts China (e.g. republic of) during the mid-1940s uncovered species of the "living fossil" in groves there. 
   Cuttings, cones, seeds and seedlings were brought back to the United States and were cultivated in the National Arboretum (Washington DC) as well as many nurseries. The living Metasequoia (also known in nursery circles as the Dawn Redwood) may be found in Oregon Cascade range as well as many personal and public groves - including the campus of Linfield College, right across the state from the State Capitol!

   Back to the fossil part - when Chris and I were in Fossil (Oregon) last August, I spent two days at the high school there looking for and collecting dozens of fossilized Metasequoia specimens for the 2003 Legislature. 
   Chris purchased display cases for the specimens (called Riker boxes) and 100 mounted Metasequoia specimens were prepared for each state legislator, the Governor and the news media. Lyn drafted a properly worded joint House-Senate Resolution to designate "Metasequoia" as Oregon's State Fossil". 

   State Rep John Mabrey (from Wheeler County) has agreed to introduce the joint resolution, with State Sen Ted Ferrioli agreeing to pursue the matter following House approval. 
   I'm presenting awaiting any requests for next steps, pursuing letters of endorsements for the projects from groups throughout the state (e.g. OMSI, chambers of commerce,  etc). Also responding to legislative inquiries following dropping off of the specimens. Have already heard very supportive words from State Senator Walker (Eugene) as well as Gary George and State Representatives Betsy Close (Albany) and Alan Brown. 

   Haven't heard any opposition (yet), but have every confidence that somewhere in Oregon there is a person, public official, special interest group and/or property owner who may have critical questions about it. 

(OMED: Our suggestion for the state fossil is Vera Katz.)

© 2003 Fossil Guy   Graphics are links to their source, where known.