The Society, known as SVP, was founded in 1940 by only 34 paleontologists as an informal gathering where vertebrate paleontologists could gather and discuss their findings and hypotheses about paleontology. SVP now has over 2,000 members all over the globe, and publishes the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
SVP is organized for scientific and educational purposes. The mission of SVP is to "advance the science of vertebrate paleontology and to serve the common interests and facilitate the cooperation of all persons concerned with the history, evolution, comparative anataomy, and taxonomy of vertebrate animals, as well as field occurence, collection, and study of fossil vertebrates and the stratigraphy of the beds in which they are found." Conservation and preservation of fossils and fossil sites are also a concern of SVP, as is the education of young people about paleontology.
This year's SVP meeting included symposia on evolutionary transitions among vertebrates, the evolution, paleoclimate, and paleogeography of high-latitude Mesozoic and Cenozoic vertebrates, and biomineralization. The annual Preparator's Symposium gave preparators a chance to discuss the latest techniques for preparing fossils. (Be sure to read my series of articles about Fossil Preparation.) Technical Sessions on a variety of topics concerned with vertebrate animals were held the 16th through the 18th. Students and professionals presented posters on their research during three poster sessions.
Among the regular events of the meeting were the annual SVP Auction, which raises money for SVP's educational programs, a reception at the Science Museum of Minnesota which allowed attendees a chance to view the exhibits., and the annual banquet and awards ceremony. The awards ceremony honors not only young students for their recent contributions to the science of paleontology, but also long-time members for their life-time achievements and contributions. Before the conference, field trips to nearby paleontological sites were held.
The 2004 meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology will be held at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, Colorado.
Be sure to read my article, "A Visit to the Science Museum of Minnesota"!
Be sure to visit my web site for more links to Natural History Museums.
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