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.
Congressional testimony from SVP on national monument cuts (Mar 13, 2019)
Guidelines from the Ethics Education Committee for collecting, documenting and curating fossils
On the use of United States Public Lands
Impact Mitigation Guidelines (1995, revised 2010)
OFFICIAL SOCIETY STATEMENTS
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