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Hill Annex Paleontology Project

by John Westgaard, Hill Annex Paleontology Project

Presentation Overview

The Hill Annex Paleontology Project is a volunteer-initiated science research program examining the fossil evidence focused within the Late Cretaceous deposits of the Minnesota region. The project was founded in 2014 by Science Museum of Minnesota Paleontology volunteers under the direction of Science Museum of Minnesota Fitzpatrick Chair of Paleontology, Bruce Erickson. 2021 saw the culmination of a growing relationship with Minnesota Discovery Center.  That year, the Project and its growing fossil collection officially moved to their new Iron Range home. Volunteer efforts still comprise the largest percentage of field work hours. The Hill Annex Paleontology Project research programs augment their effort with considerable time spent on Outreach and Engagement programming through a variety of community channels. Join us to learn more about the project and current research.

Biography

John Westgaard is the Co-founder and Director of the Hill Annex Paleontology Project. He graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Biology, briefly studying animal behavior. As a 30+ year resident of St. Paul, MN, he has strong ties to the community and raised his family in St. Paul. John brings more than 20 years of museum experience to the project with service at the Bell Museum of Natural History, Science Museum of Minnesota, and currently at Minnesota Discovery Center. He spent 12 years as a volunteer in the Science Museum of Minnesota Paleontology Laboratory. In 2021, the Hill Annex Paleontology Project officially moved to its new home at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm, MN, with John starting as the first official paleontologist.