As one of the leading paleontological societies, it is important that the SVP participate in discussions and issues affecting vertebrate paleontology, our profession, and the public. These may include, but are not limited to, protection of fossils on public lands, the role of vertebrate paleontology and evolution in education, ethics, joint agreements with other professional societies or governmental agencies, and other significant issues. The SVP will release periodic statements on this site, which reflect current or new policies, or the society’s position on key issues.
CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS, AND HANDBOOK
OFFICIAL SOCIETY POLICY AND GUIDELINES
The society has issued a number of policy and best practices guidelines and the list below is incomplete. Our website is currently under construction and we will restore this section as soon as possible.
Myanmar Amber: Guidelines for Researchers, Research Institutions and Publishers
Myanmar Amber: Guidelines for the Peer Review Process
Due Diligence Provenance Checklist for Myanmar Amber
Congressional testimony from SVP on national monument cuts (Mar 13, 2019)
Protocols for Ethics Violation Reporting
Guidelines from the Ethics Education Committee for collecting, documenting and curating fossils
On the sale of vertebrate fossils
On the use of United States Public Lands
Impact Mitigation Guidelines (1995, revised 2010)
MYANMAR AMBER RESOURCES
General resources:
Further information on Myanmar amber, mining, human rights violation and amber trade (August 2020)
Summary of Myanmar gemstone and antiquities (fossil) laws
Recommendations:
Guidelines for Researchers, Research Institutions and Publishers
Guidelines for the Peer Review Process
Due Diligence Provenance Checklist for Myanmar Amber
SVP official letters:
Letter to the paleontological community (June 14, 2021)
Letter to editors and publishers (April 21, 2020)
OFFICIAL SOCIETY STATEMENTS
SVP’s comments on BLM-USFS’s proposed resource management plans for the Bears Ears National Monument
SVP’s response letter to BLM concerning BLM’s “Community Pit #1” near Las Cruces, New Mexico
Letter to House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee FY25 BLM Appropriations
Letter to Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee FY25 BLM Appropriations
Comments on the proposed resource management plans for BLM’s Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming
Comments on BLM’s proposed oil and gas lease sales in southeastern Utah
Comments on proposed ‘Conservation and Landscape Health’ rules (RIN 1004-AE92)
SVP urges funding needed for the enactment of the U.S. Paleontological Resources Preservation Act
SVP Follow-up Statement on Utah HB 396
SVP Comment on Utah HB 396 – Letter to Rep. Elison
SVP Comment on Utah HB 396 – Letter to Gov. Cox
SVP Comment on Utah HB 396 – Letter to Sen. Ibson
Letter regarding sale of Triceratops Big John skeleton
Letter to House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee FY22 BLM Appropriations
Letter to Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee FY22 BLM Appropriations
SVP’s support letter for the draft law on the Protection of the Paleontological Heritage of Peru
SVP’s letter to Christie’s Auction House on the sale of Tyrannosaurus rex ‘Stan’
SVP Statement on Black Lives Matter
SVP’s revised letter to Discovery Channel on the series ‘The Dino Hunter’.
SVP Special Statement on Coronavirus
SVP’s letter to editors of journals and publishers on Burmese amber and fossil repository
SVP’s comments on the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s draft policy
SVP’s letter to University of Alaska about drastic 100% cut to its Museum
Letter to Artcurial auction house about the sale of Allosaurus and Camptosaurus
Letter to Aguttes auction house about the sale of a Theropod dinosaur
Frequently asked questions about National Monuments and vertebrate fossils
SVP provides paleontological resource management plans for the Bears Ears National Monument
Overview of paleontological resources at 21 U.S. national monuments
SVP comments on 21 U.S. national monuments
SVP comments on Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monuments
SVP response to US Department of the Interior’s proposed PRPA regulations