Meet the Calgarians Building the Green Line – Paul McNeil
Meet Paul McNeil, Senior Consultant at Steppe Consulting Inc., who is leading paleontological investigation for the Green Line LRT. As a seasoned paleontologist, Paul’s work doesn’t just involve finding fossils—it’s about reading the story of the land itself.
Steppe Consulting Inc. is a paleontology consulting firm dedicated to preserving Alberta’s rich fossil record, working closely with provincial authorities and industries to ensure development aligns with heritage conservation. Paleontology helps us understand what's come before us and what is going to happen in the future.
“Part of the work that I do as a paleontologist is not only looking for the fossils themselves, but actually assessing the geology on the site as well, looking for areas where fossils can actually be preserved,” shares Paul.
With the recent demolitions and excavation at Eau Claire and its proximity to the Bow River, his primary focus has been on ancient river channel deposits. These environments, shaped by powerful flowing waters, often trap and preserve isolated fossil specimens. When rivers flow fast enough to transport large cobbles and gravel, they can also carry and bury bones, locking them into the geological record.
Paul also investigates what are known as overbank or flood deposits—sediments laid down when a river overflows its banks. He explains that these flood banks are moving a lot slower, creating more silt and clay deposits.
Paul’s expertise is instrumental in balancing the future of urban infrastructure with the preservation of ancient history.
Funded by
