Final answer:
While finding dinosaur fossils in New York is unlikely due to the region's Devonian rock formations, there is potential to find Devonian fossils like trilobites. A pedestrian survey and online research can aid in finding and identifying fossils while preserving their environmental context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chances of finding a dinosaur fossil in New York are relatively low because the rock formations in New York are from the Devonian period, which predates the existence of dinosaurs. However, New York is rich in Devonian fossils such as trilobites and other marine animals. To increase the chances of finding fossils, one could conduct a pedestrian survey in areas with exposed sedimentary rocks, especially following weathering events like rainstorms that can expose new fossils. When searching for fossils, always remember not to disturb the surrounding environment excessively as it provides crucial context for the fossils. Should you find a fossil, online research can aid in identification, giving insight into the environmental conditions that allowed for its preservation. For more targeted searches, it would be beneficial to consult a geological map or database, like the PaleoDB, to determine where certain fossils may be found and their ages based on the geological history of the area.