Prince George, BC – As BC Heritage Week draws to a close, the provincial government has announced it will formally recognize the McAbee fossil site near Cache Creek as a Heritage Site.

The fossil beds, which lie approximately 13-kilometres east of the community, have gained international attention for the abundance, diversity, and quality of fossils preserved in an ancient lakebed during the Eocene epoch, 56- to 34-million years ago.

Earth History Curator at the Royal BC Museum, Dr. Richard Hebda, was involved in a paleontological survey of the area to determine the extent of the beds and co-authored a report in 2009 for the province to assist in developing strategies and setting policies for the best management and proection of the fossils at McAbee.

In light of today’s announcement, Dr. Hebda says, "The designation of the beds as a Provincial Heritage site will ensure that the world will learn more from these remarkable fossils for decades to come as British Columbians assume their vital stewardship role of this globally exceptional natural heritage."

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, Steve Thomson, says, "I am proud to start the formal process that will lead to designating McAbee as a Heritage Site." Under the Heritage Conservation Act, formal notifications will now go out to local government, stakeholders and First Nations within whose traditional territory the land to be designated lies.  Feedback from the notification process will also help inform future management plans for the site.