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About AMDA

On September 2001, the Board of Directors was pleased to announce the beginning of operations for the American Metal Detecting Association (AMDA). AMDA was organized to educate hobbyists and others, such as recreational small-scale miners, associated business vendors and manufacturers of such equipment, of problems that have arisen and may affect the lawful use of a metal detector. One way was to create a social organization that consisted of members and non-members alike interested in participating in competition-type hunts, meetings, seminars and other community activities. Through the distribution of published materials such as our quarterly newsletter appropriately titled “The Citizen Collector”, interested readers are provided valuable and useful information to attend these events.

Today, two of the original five AMDA founding directors remain on the AMDA Board as voting members – Carolyn Garrett, Chairperson and Resources, and Bernard Grabowski, Director of Plans and Operations. One of the founding five was the late Ron Stockman, of the Mother Lode Research Center, who kept us informed with current regulatory public land decisions affecting detectorists and miners throughout the country. Many believe that Ron could not be replaced; however, he mentored our present Director of Public Land Issues – Larry Armstrong, whom we look too to provide us with the websites where important local, state and federal regulations may be obtained.

All of our Board members have many combined years in various aspects of metal detecting, both here in the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom. Board members therefore, are confident that they can be of aid to all parties who inquire of the hobby. You can click on any of the directors listed below to learn more about them.

The AMDA directors will serve without salary except for just compensation of expenses.

We intend to be proactive wherever possible to avoid the serious pitfalls that often befall detectorists and small-scale miners. AMDA will work with lawmakers and agency personnel to try to bring about a better understanding of our hobby to head off any potential problems or negative laws/regulations which would adversely impact those involved. AMDA directors believe the general public, the various governmental agencies and congressional lawmakers must begin to view detectorists in a proper light. We will work hard to incorporate the words Citizen Collector into the general vocabulary. Detectorists and others are instrumental in uncovering and in preserving the “common past” in many artifacts that do not meet the scientific and legal criteria which allows them to be preserved in private collections. AMDA recognizes that US regulations consider artifacts 50 years or more, as historical. In England, artifacts less than 300 years old and not covered under the 1996 Treasure Trove Act, are not recorded. They do however require an Export License issued by the local archaeologist or museum to be removed from the country. We believe there is a difference in interpretation of what is historical versus having significant value. Citizen collectors we believe understand the difference and provide an elementary base by which children and others can learn about the past from our hands-on experience. Viewing artifacts through a glass case cannot convey the “feeling” of the past as in the ability to detect a field and dig an artifact from the past! AMDA members are very concerned that much of our history is either being tossed away, or allowed to remain in the ground to disintegrate through plowing and chemical pesticides. We wish to change that practice!

AMDA intends to network with other recreational organizations whose rights on public and private lands are being jeopardized by unfair regulations and processes. While being willing to work with others, AMDA will never detour from its primary goals to preserve the hobby of metal detecting and mineral hunting.

AMDA’s survival will depend on different sources:

1. Individual membership at $10.00 annually
2. Sustained contributions from the business sector
3. Future grant money if such should become available
4. Profits from hunts held throughout the year.

The creation of AMDA was not undertaken lightly. All involved are extremely dedicated to the hobby they represent. They are aware the work will be at times hard, and the hours long, but they intend to build the very best of organizations. To be successful, it will take the generous contributions of others. As you know the hobby needs your support and it will take people who have the dedication to make it all work.

Copyright © 2002 All Rights Reserved
American Metal Detecting Association