Southeast Kentucky Gem, Mineral & Fossil Club

AFMS Code of Ethics & Land Use Policy

Responsible collecting, field-trip conduct, conservation and land-use awareness.

About this guide
The Code of Ethics and Land Use Policy are published by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Land-use positions shown here are AFMS policy.

Code of Ethics

The 17 standards are grouped by topic for easy reading.

Property & Permission

1	I will respect both private and public property and will do not collecting on privately owned land without the owner’s permission.
2	I will keep informed on all laws, regulations of rules, governing collecting on public lands and will observe them.
3	I will to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.

Safe Field Conduct

4	I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas.
5	I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, buildings.
6	I will leave all gates as found.
7	I will build fires in designated or safe places only and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
8	I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
9	I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock.

AFMS Code of Ethics · continued

Conservation, Cooperation & Public Image

Environment & Conservation

10	I will not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supply.
11	I will cause no willful damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
12	I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others.
13	I will support the rockhound project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and Will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.

Cooperation & Public Image

14	I will cooperate with field trip leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas.
15	I will report to my club or Federation officers, Bureau of Land management or other authorities, any deposit of petrified wood or other materials on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific purposes.
16	I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
17	I will observe the “Golden Rule”, will use “Good Outdoor Manners” and will at all times conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and Public “image” of rockhounds everywhere.

Field-trip reminder: Permission, property boundaries, applicable collecting rules, conservation, safe behavior and cooperation with field-trip leadership are recurring themes throughout the AFMS Code of Ethics.

American Federation of Mineralogical Societies

Land Use Policy

These nine points state AFMS positions on public-land use and access.

Ethics, Organization & Engagement

1	Adherence to the AFMS Code of Ethics assures compliance with most statutes and regulations governing collecting on public lands and encourages respect for private property rights and the environment. Clubs are urged to read the AFMS Code of Ethics in at least one meeting every year, to publish the Code frequently in the club newsletter, and to compel compliance on club field trips.
2	Individuals and clubs are urged to write their elected representatives and land use management agency super visors regarding issues of rulemaking, legislation and enforcement affecting field collecting of minerals and fossils.
3	Individuals and clubs are urged to join and support activities of the American Lands Access Association (ALAA), a sister organization with responsibility for advancing the interests of earth science amateurs with legislatures and land use management agencies.
4	The AFMS will receive a report from ALAA at its annual meeting.

Public-Land Access & Recreation

5	The AFMS endorses the principle of multiple use of public lands as a guarantee of continuing recreational opportunities.
6	Wilderness and monument designations are inconsistent with the principle of multiple use. In view of the vast amount of public land already designated as wilderness and monuments, future such designations should be minimal taking into account the increased demand for recreational opportunities, including rockhounding, created by a growing population.
7	In furtherance of the principle of multiple use, the AFMS believes that laws, regulations and rules established by relevant governmental authorities should be designed to allow freest possible access to all public lands, coupled with minimal restrictions on the recreational collection of minerals, fossils, gemstone materials and other naturally occurring materials.
8	A right to collect minerals and fossils on public lands should be protected by statute.
9	The AFMS urges its members to work with any or all government authorities to achieve a good working relationship in order to improve the “Public Image” of recreational collectors.