Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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October 13, 2024
WHEREAS, National Fossil Day is October 16, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan is a leading state for the exploration, hunting, and collecting of fossils due to its history in the Michigan Basin in the Paleozoic Period; and,
WHEREAS, there are hundreds of species of prehistoric life that inhabited areas all around the state including corals, crinoids, bryozoans, gastropods, brachiopods, cephalopods, trilobite, and primitive fish and sharks; and,
WHEREAS, the Petoskey stone, which is made of fossil coral, is the state stone of Michigan and the state fossil of Michigan is the mastodon; and,
WHEREAS, fossil hunting is an important part of Michigan’s tourist business in cities like Alpena, Rogers City, Jackson, Petoskey, St. Charles, Milan, Grand Rapids, Sebewaing, Elberta, Trout Lake, Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Ocqueoc, Traverse City and hundreds more sites; and,
WHEREAS, fossil exploration, hunting, and collecting are actively engaged in Michigan communities through educational programs in elementary, high school, and colleges and many earth science programs including the 79th Anniversary Greater Detroit Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 13-19, 2024 as Michigan Fossil Week in Michigan.