Abstract The Republic graben, located in northeastern Washington, extends from the Canadian border south approximately 48 mi (80 km) to the Columbia River. It can be reached on hard surface road from the east and west along Washington 20 from Kettle Falls or Tonasket, respectively, or from the south along Washington 21 from Wilbur (Fig. 1). The town of Republic, where lodging, food, and gasoline can be obtained, is located about 6 mi (10 km) north of the geographic center of the graben. All of the stops shown in Figure 2 are accessible by two wheel drive vehicle. Most of the area describedin this report is on land owned by the Colville Indian Reservation, which has headquarters in Nespelem, Washington, 40 mi (64 km) south of Republic; Figure 2 shows the northern boundary at the reservation. North of Thirteenmile Creek, land is controlled by the National Forest Service or is privately owned. Permission should be obtained from private land owners and the Colville Tribal Headquarters before entering their land from the road right-of-way.

Abstract The Republic graben, located in northeastern Washington, extends from the Canadian border south approximately 48 mi (80 km) to the Columbia River. It can be reached on hard surface road from the east and west along Washington 20 from Kettle Falls or Tonasket, respectively, or from the south along Washington 21 from Wilbur (Fig. 1). The town of Republic, where lodging, food, and gasoline can be obtained, is located about 6 mi (10 km) north of the geographic center of the graben. All of the stops shown in Figure 2 are accessible by two wheel drive vehicle. Most of the area describedin this report is on land owned by the Colville Indian Reservation, which has headquarters in Nespelem, Washington, 40 mi (64 km) south of Republic; Figure 2 shows the northern boundary at the reservation. North of Thirteenmile Creek, land is controlled by the National Forest Service or is privately owned. Permission should be obtained from private land owners and the Colville Tribal Headquarters before entering their land from the road right-of-way.

Unlike other informal sites, fossil parks provide visitors collecting opportunities that result in ownership of a small number of fossils. In 2003, we investigated the first three identified U.S. fossil parks at Hamburg, New York; Sylvania, Ohio; and Rockford, Iowa. Case study analyses determined the opportunities to learn geobiology at each site. Data collection proceeded through lived learning experiences, and included field notes, photographic records, informal conversations with park participants, brochures, and on-site signage. Through constant comparative methods, six variable categories converged for fossil park development: (1) informative previsit Web site, (2) authentic collecting in situ, (3) authentic collecting tools, (4) accessibility, (5) fossil identification, and (6) visitor education. These variables were optimized in a model of fossil park design. In 2005, fossil parks at Sharonville, Ohio, and Fossil, Oregon, were investigated in phase 2 of our study, and in 2006, our third case study researched fossil parks in Aurora, North Carolina, and Republic, Washington. Analysis of the seven U.S. fossil park data sets resulted in the emergence of key variables that affected the visitors' opportunities to learn geobiology concepts at fossil parks: (1) authenticity of experience, (2) age of fossils, (3) fossil-collection training and facilities, (4) availability of on-site paleontological mentors, (5) fossil identification via signage and brochures, (6) site organization and wayfinding signs, and (7) accessibility of site, including safety. The seven U.S. fossil parks were ranked against these variables according to their effectiveness as informal science education sites. We conclude that fossil parks can provide valuable informal geobiology education that can contribute to the public's geobiological literacy.