Valentine’s Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center to host fossil discovery programs featuring Shane Tucker

BY Media Release | July 18, 2025
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Valentine’s Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center to host fossil discovery programs featuring Shane Tucker
Preparing plaster cast of horse leg bone at a Niobrara NSR dig site, Shane Tucker

The public is invited to learn about fossils with Shane Tucker, Nebraska’s Highway Paleontologist, at the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center in Valentine. On August 1, a dive will be taken into the fossil heritage of Nebraska and the Niobrara River corridor. Some fossils found in Nebraska are believed to be over 300 million years old.

Tucker will lead two presentations. The first, aimed at youth, will start at 2 PM providing an exciting introduction to the world of fossils. The second program for the general public will take place at 6 PM when attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the paleontological significance of the area.

Participants are welcome to bring in any fossils they would like identified. Tucker will provide expert identifications after his presentations, allowing attendees to gain insights into their finds.

Shane Tucker at Niobrara NSR for a Fossil Presentation in 2019
With 25 years of experience in the Highway Paleontology Program—a collaboration between the University of Nebraska State Museum and the Nebraska Department of Transportation—Shane Tucker has traveled statewide, collecting fossils that are threatened by highway construction. His deep knowledge of the region’s paleontology makes this event a unique opportunity for anyone interested in Nebraska’s natural history.
Nebraska is renowned for its fossil discoveries and is home to significant sites such as the Niobrara National Scenic River, Ashfall State Historic Site and Agate Fossil Bed National Monument. This program is a way to connect with Nebraska’s fossil heritage.
Those seeking more information can call 402-376-1901 or visit www.nps.gov/niob. An events calendar can also be viewed on the website and social media pages for upcoming activities, programs, and events.
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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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