What is a Vertebrate Paleontologist?

Few scientific pursuits fascinate like digging up fossils. But despite this fascination with fossil-hunting – one aspect of the field of vertebrate paleontology – most people would be hard pressed to explain what a vertebrate is, or what a paleontologist does. Now a 30-minute video provides just such an explanation. And in the process, the sponsors hope to educate, entertain and perhaps inspire a few future paleontologists.
WE ARE SVP a 30-minute video sponsored by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP), premiered on the society’s website at: http://www.vertpaleo.org/video/WeAreSVP/index.cfm , on October 29, 2008. This video celebrates the extraordinary world of vertebrate paleontology and provides a unique glimpse into the diversity of its scientists and pursuits. It is introduced and narrated by Sam Waterston, long-time star of television’s “LAW & ORDER.”
“This video shows the breadth of our members, their research and what motivates them,” said Catherine Badgley, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan and past president of SVP. “It shows how relevant vertebrate paleontology is to environmental challenges today.”

• Read the rest of the press release.
• View the new video , 'We Are the SVP.' (33 min.) featuring many of the most famous names in paleontology today.