Local Palaeontologist and co-founder of Wight Coast Fossils, Megan Jacobs, has partnered with local independent publisher Medina Publishing to launch a unique field guide to the geology and fossils of the Isle of Wight.
A crowdfunding campaign has just gone live to help bring the project to life.
Three years of dedicated work
This will be the first comprehensive and accessible guide dedicated to the Island’s extraordinary palaeontological heritage.
Written for all ages and experience levels, the book is the result of three years of dedicated work by Megan, a true Caulkhead and PhD researcher at the University of Portsmouth.
Drawing on years of fossil hunting, excavating, and leading guided walks along the south coast, Megan has created a clear, engaging, and scientifically accurate resource that answers the most common questions she’s heard from visitors.
Jacobs: The book is designed to be taken into the field
Megan explains,
“There are academic books on the subject, but nothing that speaks directly to curious beginners, families, or amateur collectors.
“The book is designed to be taken into the field and used to understand exactly what you’re looking at—and why it matters.”
Over 400 fossil IDs
The guide includes 32 chapters on local geology and paleontology, illustrated identification guides to over 400 fossils, and a detailed map of fossil-rich locations across the Island.
Designed to be compact, colourful and durable, it also offers practical advice on responsible collecting—making it the perfect companion for fossil hunting adventures.
Why Crowdfunding?
Although Medina Publishing and Bookshop are backing the project, crowdfunding is essential to help cover production and set up costs such as professional design, artwork, reprographics layout, proofreading, printing and binding.
Megan aims to raise £14,000 to ensure the book is as visually engaging as it is informative and also to ensure it’s produced with the highest production values for such an important book.
Choose from a variety of rewards
Backers can choose from a variety of rewards, including signed books, exclusive bookmarks and fossil scale bars, private tours with Megan, and school visits—giving supporters the chance to connect with the Island’s prehistoric past and contribute to science outreach.
Megan adds,
“This book is a celebration of our Island’s natural history and a tribute to the generations of fossil enthusiasts who keep the story alive.
“With your help, we can make it happen.”
Support the campaign
The campaign is now live.
To learn more, explore rewards, or support the project visit the Crowdfunder page.
News shared by Charlotte on behalf of Medina Publishing. Ed
