Chuckanut Formation

In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to spend several days collecting plant fossils in the Chuckanut Formation, a lush, fossil-rich sequence of Eocene rocks in northwest Washington. I was assisting graduate student Francisco Nares and paleobotanist Dr. Steve Manchester, both from the University of Florida, as part of an ongoing effort better to understand the flora and environments of ancient Washington.

The fieldwork was hands-on from the start. Over 4–5 days, we explored multiple outcrops, carefully splitting shale and siltstone in search of preserved leaves, seeds, and palm fronds. One of my favorite moments was uncovering a beautifully detailed palm leaf, one of the most significant fossils I have ever found. Another highlight was observing Dr. Manchester walking along a gravel road with a suitcase full of fossils, despite our oversight in not bringing a bucket. The field improvisation was exemplary.

After the trip, I continued working with the specimens at the Burke Museum. I assisted in cataloging each fossil, assigning field numbers, and photographing them for inclusion in our digital database. This process provided a comprehensive view of fossil collection, from initial discovery in the field to preservation and research accessibility in the laboratory.

This experience has deepened my interest in paleobotany and fostered a greater appreciation for the labor and logistical efforts involved in cataloging each fossil in a museum collection.