Paleontology Center

We've already surpassed our initial $2,000 crowdfunding goal, and we couldn't be more grateful! With strong momentum behind this project, additional gifts will help the UM Paleontology Center expand opportunities for public outreach, research and hands-on learning. Thank you for helping us dig deeper into Montana's ancient history and bring these discoveries to life.

Paleontology has deep roots at the University of Montana. Earl Douglass, who earned UM’s first master’s degree in 1899, studied prehistoric remains found in southwestern Montana. Today, the UM Paleontology Center is a hub for research and teaching. It also helps preserve the story of Montana’s ancient past and that of the American West.

Your gift helps bring Montana’s fossil history to life. It supports projects ranging from photographing the collection to creating new displays. This past summer, more than 600 Bear Gulch fossils were returned to UMPC. Originally found near Lewistown, Montana, the collection includes fish, sharks, shrimp and more. Now, we are working to preserve and document these pieces and share them with researchers and the public.

Give today to help make these fascinating specimens more accessible while giving students and volunteers hands-on experience caring for this remarkable collection. Together, we can preserve the past and inspire the paleontologists of tomorrow.