Petrified Forest Field Institute: Exploring an Evolutionary Landscape

Blue Forest Fossil Survey November 1, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm MST Instructor: Christa Sadler Our adventure through time begins after briefly meeting at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and then caravanning into the heart of the park. From there we’ll hike into an area rich in fossil diversity, along the way discussing why the Triassic Period, particularly the Late Triassic (237-201 million years ago), is important in Earth history from both a tectonic and an evolutionary perspective. As one of the best places in the world to glimpse into the Late Triassic world, the landscape of the Petrified Forest National Park tells the story of how these colorful deposits came to be and what they can tell us about the ancient environment, the climate and the life that characterized this region. As we encounter fossils on our hike, I’ll expand on the fossilized animals in the Petrified Forest and discuss the impact these discoveries have had on the field of vertebrate paleontology world-wide. What they tell us about the geographical dispersal of ancient life, the evolution of Archosaurs (the ruling reptiles of the Triassic Period) from their extinct ancestors to their modern descendants, and their importance in the fossil record, will enhance your appreciation for this otherworldly landscape. As we wrap up this in-depth look at Petrified Forest’s fossil record, participants will have the rest of the day to explore the park on their own. Schedule Meeting time: 8:00 AM Class should be over by 4:00 PM