Stewardship

Can I Collect Fossils?

Everyone loves looking for fossils but at Joggins, finders aren't keepers! To protect the site for scientific research and provide a great experience for everyone, the law only lets you collect fossils if you have a Heritage Research Permit.

If you don't have a Permit:

Leave the fossils in place
Let us know what you have found — take a picture or show a staff member.

Your discovery could make a valuable contribution to science!

Laws of the Land

All fossils found in Nova Scotia belong to the Province. The Nova Scotia Museum is the official caretaker.
Fossil collecting is controlled by the Province's Heritage Research Permit System. The government of Nova Scotia, not the Joggins Fossil Centre, is responsible for giving out permits. To apply for a permit see: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/fossils/protect/permits.htm.
The Joggins Fossil Cliffs is a Protected Site uner the Nova Scotia Special Places Protection Act and the Beaches Act (and Regulations).
The Joggins Fossil Institute manages the Site to conserve its fossil heritage.

Photographing a fossil on the beach at Joggins