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Fossil Discovery Center
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Madera County, in partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Paleontology Foundation, completed a unique and exciting Fossil Discovery Center. The project is located at the Fairmead landfill in Madera County, the site of one of the largest middle-Pleistocene fossil excavations in North America. These fossils are of particular significance for California and the western United States because there are few sites known from this time period, especially with so many species present. The facility interprets both the paleontology activity and the landfill activity. These diverse themes are united by showing how the world of the past became the world of the present, and how our current activities, including waste disposal, will create the world of the future.
The discovery center is next to the landfill and also serves as a satellite visitors center for the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. The site overlooks the current landfill operations and the paleontology dig. It also has a good view of the valley floor and the rising foothills to the east, the area where the prehistoric rivers washed down the bones that have become the Fairmead fossils. This facility attracts visitors from throughout the State, as well as national/international travelers to nearby Yosemite National Park. However the target audience is children and families in the Central San Joaquin Valley. School field trips, curriculum programs for teachers and other educational opportunities have been developed to serve the target populations. The Fossil Discovery Center represents an opportunity for Valley residents to share an internationally important historical resource that will help them understand their world and will inspire many of them to continue exploring and learning. 
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The San Joaquin Valley Paleontology Foundation
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The San Joaquin Valley Paleontology Foundation was formed in 1993, the same year that the remarkable discovery of Pleistocene fossils occurred at the Fairmead Landfill in Madera County. A landscaper working in one of the cell areas of the landfill began to find discoloration in the soil during earth removal. Once an eight-foot mammoth tusk was uncovered, the earth removal stopped until proper identification could occur and an assessment of the find could be made. The Museum of Paleontology at the University of California Berkeley (UCMP) was called in to assess the site, which was found to be a rich middle-Pleistocene fossil location.
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Initially, the Foundation was formed to represent educational interests and commitment to other agencies responsible for oversight of the fossils for public impact. As more and more fossils were uncovered, more astounding discoveries were made – some new species have been identified, and the array of fossils is diverse beyond measure, including sabertooth tigers, Columbian mammoths and ground sloths to name a few – all contributing to one of the richest, most significant Pleistocene fossil finds in North America, as determined in 1997. Further work on the site revealed that the Fairmead Landfill site held enough fossils to keep paleontologists busy for twenty years. All of this has led to the idea of creating a place to celebrate this extraordinary find and to share the wonders of the fossils with the community and visitors to Madera County.
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The San Joaquin Paleontology Foundation Board Members
President- Justin Raymond
Justin Raymond serves as the Division Manager of Redrock Environmental Group where he oversees the excavation of the Fairmead Landfill, where most of the fossils at the Fossil Discovery Center are found. He has over a decade of hands on experience with almost every role in the solid waste and recycling industry. Justin holds a distinctive blend of outstanding leadership skills and experience in business development. As President, he plays a crucial role in the development of the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera, CA. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. Justin currently resides in Sanger, CA. He can be contacted at justinr@cagliarecycling.com
Vice-President- Gerald McDougal
Secretary-Rachel Church
Rachel Church and has been a member of the San Joaquin Valley Palentology Board since 2012. She has served as the secretary of the board for many years and continues to do so. Ms. Church is a retired educator, having taught both in Southern Califonia and the Central Valley. She retired as an elementary school principal in June of 2012, but continues to subsititute for Madera Unified School District whenever there is a need. Rachel Church receivied her Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree from the University of Southern California, Pomona. She also holds a Bilingual Degree from Fresno Pacific University as well as an Administrative Credential from the same insitution. Since retiring she has served both as a supervisor for student teachers through National University and a coach for aspiring administers through Madera County Office of Education. She currently serves as the President of the local California Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Church enjoys, traveling, reading, and babysitting her grandchildren.
Treasurer-Brian Reams
Board Member-Conrad Gaunt
Conrad Gaunt is a Retired Teacher> He earned a BA from San Francisco State University with a major in history and a minor in political science, and a MA in history from Fresno State University. He taught history at Chowchilla High School for 38 years and taught history part time for Merced College for 22 years. He was Social Studies Department Chair at Chowchilla for many years, and I coached the Academic decathlon team for 26 years. I was a part-time guide at Hearst Castle for nine summers. After retiring from Chowchilla High, I was a substitute teacher for Chowchilla Elementary School District in grades 2-8. I was elected to the Chowchilla Elementary School Board in 2010 and was recently re-elected for a third term. In 2018, He was named Educator of the Year by the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce. He has been a board member of the San Joaquin Valley Paleontology Foundation since 2009. He believe that the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County fills a vital need for the people of the San Joaquin Valley and particularly for the young people. Thousands of elementary students tour the center with their classes every year and are thereby introduced to several branches of science.
Board Member-Michael George
Board Member- Jamie Abney
Jamie Abney has been a board member for The Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County since 2016. Born and raised in Fresno, CA, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fresno State University, majoring in Art. After 20 years working as a graphic artist, she retired to dedicate more time to the family construction business. For 12 years, Jamie served as CFO of Abney Steel Erectors before moving on to education. Starting with Project Survival Cat Haven, she trained docents for 5 years, while leading tours about endangered wild cats of the world. Concurrently, she taught middle school as a substitute teacher for Fresno Unified School District. Presently, Jamie works for Fresno County Office of Education teaching environmental science at Scout Island on the San Joaquin River. She also works with birds of prey, giving presentations on raptors of the San Joaquin Valley. She is co-creator of Fresno Drink and Draw, a downtown Fresno monthly event, inviting artists to a free figure drawing class.
Board Member- Casarra Aragon
Casarra Aragon is an Operations Specialist for Redrock Environmental Group located at the Fairmead Landfill, where she has received multiple awards for her outstanding performance in the 4 years she has worked there. She spent the early years of her career at a local school district, working with children of all ages. Her unique combination of experience and training in education, marketing, and the solid waste and recycling industry makes her a valuable member of the SJVPF Board. When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending her time with family, reading, and traveling. She currently resides in Madera, CA. Casarra can be contacted at casarraa@cagliarecycling.com
Director-Michele Pecina,Ed.D.
Michele Pecina, Ed.D. is currently serving as Director of The Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County. She has more than thirty eight years of public school service in California public schools as a teacher, reading specialist, and school administrator. Additionally, she is very involved in her local community as a member of various committees on the Madera Chamber of Commerce. She is Adjunct Faculty for National University serving the Sanford School of Education. Dr. Pecina received her Bachelor’s degree from Fresno State University, Master’s from the University of La Verne and her Doctorate in Educational Administration from Alliant University. She has been the recipient of the National Association of School Principal’s award for California and the Association of California School Administrator’s award for elementary school principals.
Directions
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It is easy to get to the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County.
Only 15 minutes from Madera city going North on 99. From CA 99 take exit 164, (Fairmead) Avenue 21 1/2 west towards Road 19 1/2. The Fossil Discovery Center will be on the left. Visable from the highway offramp. |
Hours - Spring & Summer
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Fossil Discovery Center — HOURS --
TUESDAY 9 AM – 4 PM WEDNESDAY 9 AM – 4 PM THURSDAY 9 AM – 4 PM FRIDAY 9 AM – 4 PM SATURDAY 9 AM – 4 PM SUNDAY 11 AM– 4 PM CLOSED MONDAY EXCEPT FOR PRE-SCHEDULED TOURS PLEASE ASK FOR DAWN OR LINDA. For inquiries: 559.665.7107 |
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Rental
The Fossil Discovery Center is available for public and private functions after our regular business hours.Contact us about hosting your next event at the Fossil Discovery Center
Cal us today! l 559-665-7107 or email fossildiscovery@gmail.com
Cal us today! l 559-665-7107 or email fossildiscovery@gmail.com
Help us grow!
Help us grow, expand, and impact our community with your generous support, You can donate through membership purchases and/or a charitable contribution. We thank you for your support and helping us make The Fossil Discovery Center an exciting learning opportunity for generations to come.
