OPLI leadership continues to recruit for more volunteers and board members. Sustaining the growth of the organization into the next decade continues to evolve. New volunteers and partners are needed. Contact the center if you are interested in supporting the work to share the wonders of the John Day basin.
The Oregon Paleo Lands Institute, which currently operates the fine visitor center on Third Street in Fossil, Oregon, is well positioned for growth through 2024.
Continuing efforts of the small volunteer Board has recently secured outside investment supporting it's mission. The year 2023 produced some deep valleys and modest peaks for the Board, its supporters and the local community.
In August, our community lost a dedicated volunteer, when Marcia McBourdaray's husband passed away in Fossil. Chris McBourdaray was in in his third summer as a volunteer assisting visitors to the region, working at the Center. Despite her loss, Marcia has indicated she hopes to continue next summer volunteering and sharing the wonders of the John Day basin, at the Center. Chris's work was valuable to the community and visitors and he will be missed.
In September, the Boards' most dedicated member stepped down. Richard Ross of Bend, who has property near Muleshoe Butte, has supported the mission of OPLI for over 16 years. No individual has dedicated more to the Centers mission. His support continues for the Center, albeit in a different capacity.
The Board was fortunate to acquire Fossil resident Carol McInness to step into the Treasurers position.
In December, Board President, Jeffrey Kee, resigned his officer position on the Board, citing family health needs. He has agreed to stay on the Board and coordinate the most recent strategic planning efforts that are underway, which include managing strategic planning efforts and working with the School District to improve the visitor experiences at the fossil collection area.
The primary accomplishments of the five person volunteer board this past year included securing a new memorandum of understanding with the Fossil School District to work together to improve management and access at the public fossil collection area on school district grounds. This partnership has already resulted in a formal request to the Oregon Department of Geology and mineral Industries (DOGAMI) to update the 2007 Preliminary Assessment of the Fossil Resource, around Fossil. The original report can be found on OPLI's website at www.oregonpaleolandscenter.com.
DOGAMI also started taking emails from collectors at the school to help identify and inventory fossil finds at the school collection site.
Citizen scientists can send a photo to DOGAMI and they will respond identifying the fossil and adding it into a new database intended to collect information that can be used by current and future researchers.
Coordination between the School District and OPLI also secured conditional designation of the fossil collection area into Oregon's Registry of Natural Heritage sites. This conditional registration requires the creation and adoption of a written plan to manage and restore portions of the fossil collection area.
Planning for improved signage, parking control and site restoration could take place this year.
Late in 2023, the Ford Family Foundation, recognized the current and future value of the Oregon Paleo Lands Center by awarding a small grant ($25,000) to support business planning, volunteer support and updating the Find Time brochure.
Additional community support will be needed to complete these tasks.
OPLI is pleased to share that a local stakeholders group has agreed to give feedback to the Board and the selected consultant for an updated strategic plan.
Local organizations committed to assist include City of Fossil, Wheeler County, National Park Service and a local hospitality business.
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