PaleoParks - The Protection and Conservation of Fossil Sites Worldwide: Chapter 10; Copper Canyon track locality (Pliocene) conservation strategies, Death Valley National Park, USA

Copper Canyon within Death Valley National Park, California, USA, preserves literally hundreds of in situ fossil mammal and bird tracks spanning over 3000 meters of lacustrine Pliocene deposits. Management of the Copper Canyon track locality has included closure and photo-monitoring of the locality. Research currently underway will evaluate the photo-monitoring program and recommend set standards and protocols for in situ paleontological resources that will not only apply to the paleontological resources in Death Valley National Park but can be adapted to serve as a model throughout the US National Park Service. The Copper Canyon track locality is a perfect setting to test the implementation of management protocols of in situ paleontological resources.