ESCONI Field Trip to Danville Shale Pile Fossils - Saturday, September 25th, 2021 #fossils #fossil #FieldTrip #Carboniferous #Illinois #coal #fern #plants #MazonCreek #danville

Danville Field Trip Rules
September 25, 2021

An ESCONI field trip to the Danville Shale Pile for Pennsylvanian fossils is scheduled for Sept 25, 2021 from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is on private property and there is an attendance limit of 25 people. The gate will be secured once we are in and locked when we leave at 3 PM.

You must register to go on this trip. See rule 7 below for instructions. This is the only way to register.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently tested positive, DO NOT COME.

Please bring a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. The minimum age is 18 years old. Registration ends at midnight Sept 22nd.
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than Sept 22nd. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Vermilion County. If Vermilion County’s covid status impacts outdoor group activities, the trip may be canceled.
5. The pile is a mixture of “Red dog” shale (bisque-fired shale), gray shale and black shale. You’ll be collecting from loose shale which can be hard and sharp. If you decide to dig for concretions, it is much like Braceville, though concretions are less common. Sturdy boots are highly recommended as are gloves. Wear eye protection if using a hammer.
6. Parts of the pile are unstable. You must not go into areas marked with flags/caution tape. Anyone found beyond the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name and the number of members attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that
   time, send it again! My email is [email protected]
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

I will send a map to those that register a few days before the trip. The driving distance is significant. Depending on where you live, it could take 2 to 4 hours to get there.