Find out who owns the land where you want to start the paleontological dig. You will need to get permission from the landowner before the dig can begin. Working with a lawyer on this step can help ensure that everything is done legally.
Talk to a nearby university. If there is a paleontology department, you're in luck. It can sponsor your dig and help you get volunteers via staff members and paleontology students.
Visit a local history or science museum, and speak with the head of the paleontology division. In the absence of a university, a museum if your next best option for getting sponsorship for your paleontological dig and recruiting volunteers.
Request additional assistance from a local paleontological society or association, such as the Dallas Paleontological Society if you are east Texas. Through these types of organizations, you can recruit more volunteers, receive additional funding and gain access to various other resources.
Gather supplies for your paleontological dig. You will need to rope off the area and set up lights if you plan to dig at night. Your volunteers will also need supplies like picks, hand spades, trowels and screwdrivers. For a large excavation, a rented backhoe can help dig up the earth.
Organize your volunteers. To start the dig, you need to create volunteer shifts or sections on the land. Assigning specific sections helps keep everything organized and aids in categorizing exactly where certain artifacts were found.