Heritage Research Permits – Palaeontology (Fossils)

In accordance with the Nova Scotia Special Places Protection Act, it is against the law to excavate fossils in this province without a Heritage Research Permit. The permit system is in place to make sure that:

• Individuals excavating fossils are qualified to do the work.
• The excavation is well planned.
• Any recovered fossils are properly studied and cared for.
• A report about the work conducted is drafted and submitted to the provincial repository for future use by researchers, educators and the general public.

Heritage Research Permits are granted by the Minister of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage and are administered by the Heritage Division. Palaeontology permits are available in the following two categories:

• Field Research Guidelines
• Professional Research Guidelines

The Guidelines pertaining to either Palaeontological Field Research or Professional Research must be reviewed and understood before completing and submitting a signed Heritage Research Permit.

Send signed and completed permit applications to:

Special Places Program
Heritage Division
Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
1747 Summer Street
Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 3A6

Tel: (902) 424-5647
Fax: (902) 424-0560
Email: heritage@gov.ns.ca