Field Assistant with the Florida Museum of Natural History
Cindy Lockner smiles among the rock and excavation equipment at the Montbrook fossil site, located three miles south of Williston city in Levy County.
April 25, 2023 | Compiled by Katherine Corcoran | Photos by Nadia Kusiima
“There are no words that describe how it feels to be the first to uncover a fossil, from millions of years ago. You’re the first and only human to ever touch that ancient animal; it’s such a rare and unique experience. Every fossil is a small miracle. Scientists estimate less than 1% of all animal species that ever lived have become fossils. I can’t see myself ever not doing fossils. As long as I can, I’ll be looking for fossils.
Since I could walk, I was always looking for something in the dirt. I was interested in animals, I loved science, it just seemed to all fit. I would sit on my grandfather’s lap and watch ‘Wild Kingdom’ every week, and I remember watching these animals, and thinking about how they evolved, and how different they are, and what their lives are like. I got really interested in doing something with animals or studying them somehow.
But 40 years ago, women weren’t encouraged to go into that field. I had shown interest in paleontology at the time, but back then, we had guidance counselors, and the response was, ‘Well, you’d be better off over here in management.’
But it was always in the back of my mind, it really was: ‘Maybe I should have gone into this, maybe, maybe, maybe…’
Lockner kneels in the dig site with the femur of a possible mastodon to her left. Her clipboard holds records of plaster jackets, which protect excavated fossils during transportation.
A few years before I knew I was going to retire, I started to reach out to fossil clubs, museums and universities to gain some experience. I just used search engines, and found a fossil club in Orlando, and one in Tampa, and fossil events and shows. I offered to volunteer with these organizations, and one contact led to one contact, which led to another.
I started to go to Montana in the summers. I learned how to identify fossil bones, how to properly excavate, how to write field notes for science documentation and how to plaster jacket. Spending one-on-one time out in the field are some of the most treasured memories I have.
I met the collections manager of vertebrate paleontology for the Florida Museum of Natural History. I volunteered any opportunity I could, including weekends, any of my vacation time. I was then offered a part-time position as a field assistant once I retired, where I currently work.
At the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Montbrook site, I oversee the daily operations. I get to do what others have done for me; we have incredible volunteers out there. I get to show them how to identify a fossil, how to properly excavate it and how to prepare plaster jackets.
Lockner stands with a team of volunteers and staff from the Florida Museum of Natural History under the afternoon sun.
You know, it’s never too late. It may have taken me 40 years to do what I always dreamed of, but I’m doing it. Never give up on your dreams. It might take a while to reach them, but you will as long as you’re determined.”