Alberta Fossils: Disposition, Ownership & Legal Status
Alberta has one of the world’s most important dinosaur and fossil records, but fossils collected in the province are subject to strict legal protection.
Under Alberta’s Historical Resources Act, palaeontological resources found in the province are protected, and ownership is generally vested in the Crown in right of Alberta. Finding or collecting a fossil does not normally give the collector private ownership of that fossil or the right to sell it.
What Is a Disposition?
In certain circumstances, the Government of Alberta may formally transfer ownership of a fossil from the Crown to an individual. This transfer is commonly referred to as a disposition. For collectors, a disposition is important because it establishes private ownership of a specimen that would otherwise remain Crown property. The documentation associated with the disposition provides a record of that transfer. Because of this process, Alberta dinosaur fossils that have been formally dispositioned and may legally enter the private collector market are relatively uncommon.
Why Documentation Matters
A specimen that has been formally dispositioned should be connected to documentation identifying the disposition and, where applicable, the individual specimen number. For Alberta fossils offered by Rocky Mountain Minerals & Fossils, the relevant disposition information is stated in the individual product listing. A copy of the applicable disposition documentation will accompany the specimen where indicated. This documentation forms an important part of the specimen’s provenance and helps establish its legal ownership history.
The Harvey Negrich Disposition
Many of the Alberta dinosaur fossils currently offered by Rocky Mountain Minerals & Fossils originate from the collection of Harvey Negrich of Calgary, a longtime fossil collector and contributor to Alberta’s palaeontological community. In 2026, Harvey obtained a disposition for his Alberta vertebrate fossil collection. Disposition Certificate #001590 was issued July 7, 2026, with individual specimens recorded under the disposition. Rocky Mountain Minerals & Fossils subsequently acquired specimens from this collection directly from Harvey. Where applicable, each specimen is identified by its specimen number and its connection to Disposition Certificate #001590. The relevant documentation accompanies the specimen.
What This Means for Buyers
When an Alberta fossil is offered for sale on our website with disposition documentation, the listing will identify the applicable certificate and specimen number. Buyers should retain this documentation with the fossil as part of its permanent provenance record. The documentation is important not only because it records the specimen’s legal ownership status, but also because it preserves the history of the specimen for future collectors, researchers and institutions.
A Note on Alberta Fossil Regulations
Alberta fossil regulations are intended to protect the province’s palaeontological heritage. The legal status of a fossil can depend on how, when and where it was collected, as well as whether ownership was formally transferred. The information on this page is provided as general background for collectors and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For authoritative information about Alberta palaeontological resources, collectors should consult the Government of Alberta and the applicable legislation.