Brian Hebert's life changed in an instant while out for a walk with his father about 30 years ago.

While walking around the small town of Joggins, N.S., a UNESCO world heritage site along the Bay of Fundy, Hebert stumbled upon a fossil. 

He was fascinated from that moment. He began visiting the local library everyday to scan through hundreds of scientific journals and fossilized records. 

In October, Hebert, 44, received an international award when he attended the Geological Survey of America Conf…