History
In 2004, at the first International Ichnological Meeting (ICHNIA) in Trelew, Argentina, those attending decided the diverse ichnological community would benefit from being brought together into a comprehensive "International Ichnological Association". An initial committee was formed in February 2006 by the vote of more than 70 ichnologists with the purpose of writing the by-laws and formally registering the association. The first officials of the association were Luis A. Buatois (President), Jordi de Gibert (Secretary), and Duncan McIlroy (Treasurer). The second ICHNIA took place in Krakow (Poland) in 2008 providing continuity to the initiative that started four years earlier in Argentina. The objective of formalizing the association was achieved in 2009 with its registration in Corporations Canada and the approval of the by-laws in accordance to the rules of this entity. Elisabeth Schatz was instrumental in this process. Members of the Association have subsequently met at ICHNIA 2012 in St. John’s, Canada; ICHNIA 2016 in Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal; and finally, after ICHNIA 2020 was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at ICHNIA 2024 in Florianopolis, Brazil. The next ICHNIA will take place in China 2028.
The International Ichnological Association is intended to serve as a community for ichnologists of all disciplines, in all countries. It strives to advance and promote the science of ichnology.
