Field Trip: Hands-on Botanising in the Miocene!

Three paleobotanists (Daphne Lee, Jennifer Bannister and PhD student Tammo Reichgelt) will take us to see and potentially collect fossil plants (leaves, wood and possibly amber) from Miocene forests at several sites near St Bathans. Bring suitable footwear—one site has gorse and some steepish banks to negotiate—the other two have easy walking access. Meet 8.30am at the Botany Department car park, 464 Great King St. to car pool. You will need 4WD vehicles to get to one site. We will rendezvous outside the old railway station at Ranfurly at 10 am, leaving there at 10:15 am. This is the last toilet stop before the field sites. We may be able to schedule afternoon tea at the Vulcan Hotel in St Bathans. Return by 5 pm. Bring handlens, a pocket knife, chisel or rock hammer, camera, protection from the sun and weather, lunch and plenty to drink.