Dino Ridge’s First-Ever Director of Paleontology, Amy Atwater, Named President-Elect of the Colorado Scientific Society

Amy Atwater holds up a Colorado Scientific Society t-shirt.

 

Morrison, Colorado – [January 27, 2025] – Dinosaur Ridge, one of the world’s premier fossil sites located in Morrison, Colorado, is proud to announce the recent appointment of Amy Atwater as its first-ever Director of Paleontology. Additionally, the organization is delighted to share that Atwater has just been named President-Elect of the oldest scientific society in the Rocky Mountain region, the Colorado Scientific Society (CSS), which was founded in 1882.

Atwater’s appointment marks a historic milestone for Friends of Dinosaur Ridge (FODR), the nonprofit organization that provides educational programming and stewardship of significant outdoor sites within the Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark. Dinosaur Ridge is best known for its well-preserved Cretaceous-aged dinosaur tracks and Jurassic-aged dinosaur fossils which remain visibly embedded in sandstone on the hogback adjacent to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. The grassroots group was started by volunteer scientists and historians in 1989 but has not had a Director of Paleontology on staff until now.

In this new role, Atwater will lead scientific research, expand educational initiatives, and further the organization’s mission to educate visitors about the natural history and value of fossil protection. Her role will also include fostering collaborations with academic institutions and guiding stewardship of the site’s invaluable paleontological and geological treasures.

“Amy Atwater brings expertise and great passion to this new role,” said Jeff Lamontagne, Executive Director of FODR. “Her leadership and experience will help make Dino Ridge a hub for ongoing paleontological discovery and education, helping to ensure its impact on current and future generations of visitors and scientists alike.”

Atwater is an accomplished science communicator with a background in vertebrate paleontology. Her research has taken her to multiple fossil-rich sites where she has contributed to groundbreaking discoveries on prehistoric life. She has also been a champion for engaging diverse audiences in science, making her an excellent fit for these dual leadership roles.

In addition to her appointment at Dinosaur Ridge, Atwater’s selection as President-Elect of the Colorado Scientific Society underscores her alignment with the two organizations’ complementary goals. Since 1882, CSS has worked to promote interdisciplinary collaboration while fostering public appreciation of science. As President-Elect, Atwater will champion efforts to engage younger professionals and students of science.

“It is an incredible honor to take on these roles,” said Atwater. “I am excited to build on the rich histories of both of these institutions while advancing their missions of discovery, education, and community engagement.”

About Friends of Dinosaur Ridge
Founded in 1989 to oversee preservation of the natural historic site known as Dinosaur Ridge, and to provide educational programming, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization Friends of Dinosaur Ridge exists to manage a seasonally fluctuating paid staff and volunteer pool that serves thousands of visitors annually. In 1937, during the construction of West Alameda Parkway, dinosaur tracks were discovered in the 100-million-year-old rocks on the hogback east of Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. In 1973 the National Park Service recognized Dinosaur Ridge for its uniqueness as well as its historical and scientific significance, designating the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark, now ranked by paleontologists as the #1 dinosaur tracksite in America. Learn more at dinoridge.org and visit any day of the year except New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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