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Last updated: December 1, 2008
There has been an uptick in activities related to the park. Jackson Shaw is scheduled to put in the ornamental iron fence during December. Landscaping crews have been maintaining the plantings. Signage is being prepared for the site.
Although it was anticipated that the 150th Anniversary celebration for Astrodon's discovery, which in fact was in November, 1858, would take place in November, 2008, it will take place but instead on January 10, 2009. The celebration will be open to the public. There will be talks by scientists and activities for young children. The venue is near the future site of the Dinosaur Park at Montpelier Mansion at the junction of MD 197 and Muirkirk Road. There will be an exhibit related to the park and dinosaurs which will remain during the rest of January, 2009.
Last updated: November 11, 2008
Dinosaur Camp dates for 2009 are now posted at: www.dinosaurfund.org
Despite the hope that the park might be dedicated by now, it has not been. However, plans are moving ahead.
An anniversary party open to the public will be held by MNCPPC in late November or early December. Marking the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Astrodon, Maryland's State Dinosaur.
Last updated: October 27, 2008
The fossil sites at Exit 13 on I-495 in Maryland, Indian Head Hwy and the Gallahan Road all still have some exposure.
People who might wish to have access to the Alexandria geologic map may contact Rod Simmons 703-930-8972.
Dr. Kranz has been doing a modified Dinosaur camp with a group of home schoolers.
Dave Hacker has found what appears to be a Grallator Parallelum track in Broad Run Creek in Broad Run, Virginia.
Dr. Kranz and Dr. Tom Holtz and others will be working on the Discovery Channel's "Before It was America" during October, 2008.
Suggested dates for Dinosaur Camp 2009 are the weeks beginning 3/23; 3/30; 4/6; 4/13; 6/15; 6/22; 6/29; 7/6; 7/27; 8/3; 8/17; 8/24; 8/31.
Last updated: September 4, 2008
Dr. Kranz had a productive discussion with representatives of MNCPPC about the development of the Dinosaur Park. It was agreed in principle that there would be an attempt to recognize the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Astrodon this November in conjunction with a possible park dedication. It was also agreed that some sort of cooperation between MNCPPC and the Smithsonian would be mutually beneficial.
The Livingston Road fossil site has been graded and seeded but may still be productive after winter rains.
A new attempt is being made to find acceptable wording to allow the call box project to move forward.
The theropod limb bone collected two years ago which has been visible in the Dinosaur Hall work station is now completely clean and the better side may be exposed for viewing in the coming months.
The exhibits at the I95 welcome stations North and South have been taken down but another exhibit may soon be installed at Rte 15 Welcome Station in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Dr. Kranz's description of the life of a paleontologist is now posted on the website - fieldtripearth.org. The Way this is listed is: "What I know about-Paleontology.
Last updated: August 13, 2008
Dr. Kranz has been in touch with folks at Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission (MNCPPC), in an attempt to encourage enough progress on the Dinosaur Park so that some significant announcement ceremony can occur in November, 2008. This is the 150th Anniversary of the discovery of the Astrodon johnstoni, the State Dinosaur of Maryland. The discovery occurred in November, 1858 at or near the current park site.
Dinosaur Camp has two remaining summer sessions the week of August 4th and August 18th.
Construction at the old Cherry Hill Farm Site on Gallahan Road in Clinton, Maryland has exposed early and late cretacious sediments. The old and continuing site at Exit 13 on the Maryland side of the Washington Beltway has yielded a mosasaur vertebra.
Last updated: August 13, 2008
Dinosaur Camp has at least two summer sessions left, the weeks of 8/4 and 8/18. Call 202-547-3326 for details.
BARC (Beltsville Agricultural Research Center) has a new Director, Joe Spence. Dr. Kranz & he are discussing possibilities for promoting the dinosaur resources on BARC property.
The Dinosaur Dig program at the Long Branch Nature Center is open to the public. Contact them at 703-228-6535. The Nature Center is located at 625 S. Carlin Springs Road in Arlington. The program runs from 12:30PM -4PM on July 12. Space is limited.
Dr. Kranz will present a powerpoint lecture reviewing the state of dinosaur research in the Washington, DC region on July 20, 2008 at the Maryland Geological Society Meeting. The Meeting begins at 11AM. The public is welcome. Location: 3209 Stonybrook Drive, Bowie, MD 20715.
A dinosaur limb bone whose discovery in September of 2006 is pictured on the Dinosaur Fund website (www.dinosaurfund.org) is now cleaned and on display at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in the glass enclosed work station of the Dinosaur Hall.
Tony Fleming has recently completed a geologic map of the City of Alexandria which may soon be publicly accessible.
Last updated: June 9, 2008
The plantings and outdoor classrooms are complete at the Dinosaur Park Prince George's Co., Maryland. Parking lots, fences and sidewalks will be going in soon.
Dino Camps still have spaces available. Camp Dates weeks of: 6/16; 6/23; 6/30; 7/7; 7/21; 8/4; 8/18; 8/25.
A public dinosaur dig program will be offered on July 12, 2008 from 12:30 - 4PM at the Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington. Call 703-228-6535 to register. Space is limited.
Last updated: May 7, 2008
Father Charles Hall Catholic School will get t-shirts with ASTRODON and go on a dinosaur hunt on May 16th.
The Welcome Station I-95 N&S will host Maryland Tourism Days on May 15th & 16th. Maryland Dinosaur exhibits will be at both locations beginning in early May. Dr. Kranz will appear on May 15th at the I-95 Welcome Station from 10-3PM. On May 16th a Dinosaur Fund representative will be at I-95S.
Last updated: April 7, 2008
Rick Fulton reports the discovery of a partial amphibian skull in the late Triassic near Emmitsburg.
There is one more week of Dinosaur Camp the first week of April. The next Camp will be June 16, 2008. Check www.dinosaurfund.org for additional dates.
Watkins Elementary School students attend the Fossil and Mineral show with Dr. Kranz on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Anne Kyle and Jennifer Jones of Maryland's Office of Tourism toured the Dinosaur Trail with Dr. Kranz and Dave Hacker on March 12. They had fun.
Father Charles Catholic School of Baltimore will be taking several trips with Dr. Kranz to learn about and look at dinosaurs.
Jennifer Jones of Maryland Department of Tourism has arranged for the Dinosaur Fund to place exhibits in the I-95 North and South Welcome Stations and in the Emmitsburg station later in the year.
Dave Hacker has found a dinosaur at his new fossil site northwest of Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Route 100 near Baltimore.
Last updated: March 24, 2008
Dr. Kranz will give a presentation for children at 3PM on Saturday March 8th at Kinder Haus Toys, 220 N. Fillmore St., Arlington, VA. The program is free but reservations are required. Call: 703-527-5929.
On March 12th Dr. Kranz will lead a tour for the Maryland Office of Tourism to the site along the Dinosaur Trail. The Office of Tourism is hoping to include the Dinosaur Trail in future publications.
Despite snow and ice Dr. Kranz's PSW talk was well attended.
Spring Break Dinosaur Camps are the weeks of March 17, 24 & 31. Space is still available - call 202-547-3326 for details.
Staff at the Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington, Virginia is planning a program with Dr. Kranz sometime in July for the purpose of helping Virginia get a State Dinosaur. Stay tuned for further details.
On March 6th, University Park Elementary School will host Dr. Kranz for a Dinosaur Day. On March 7th, Dr. Kranz will lead Mrs. Henerson's class on a geology field trip.
Last updated: February 20, 2008
When Spring arrives we have been told work will begin on the infrastructure of the Dinosaur Park.
One of Tom Holtz's Colleagues from the Univsersity of Maryland, Eugenia Leon, is measuring section and studying the Rocky Ridge site.
Spring Break Camp will be the weeks of 3/17, 3/24 and 3/31.
Call Box negotiations have been reopened. There seems to have been some misunderstandings among the approval committee.
The Livingston Road site remains open and productive.
On Wednesday,February 20th, Dr. Kranz will give a lecture titled "Dinosaurs of the National Capital Region: An Update" at the Paleontological Society of Washington at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Open to the public. High school aged students and adults, no childred allowed. Meet a 7pm at the Constitution Avenue entrance to be escorted to the lecture.
On Friday, February 22nd, Arlington Summer Camp Fair at the Thomas Jefferson Center, 3501 South 2nd St., Arlington, VA. Meet Dr. Kranz and sign up for Spring break and Summer Dinosaur Camps, 6pm-8pm, admission is free. Students looking for volunteer opportunities with Dinosaur Camp should come between 5pm and 6pm. For general Camp Fair information call Gladys Boudouane at (703)228-7660.
On Saturday, March 8th, a child-friendly, hands-on dinosaur program will be held at Kinder Haus Toys, 220 N. Filmore St., Arlington, VA. (Just south of Clarendon Blvd, and two short blocks east from the Clarendon Metro stop with parking just across the street.) Program begins at 3pm, admission is free and seating is limited, please call 703-527-5929 for reservations.
On January 12, 2008 an AP article ran in many major newspapers including USA Today and the Baltimore Sun. The subject of the article was Ray Stanford's work with dinosaur tracks.
Students from the Capitol Hill Montessori class of Ms. Henderson went on an all day fossil trip with Dr. Kranz on January 18, 2008. The class will follow this up with a geology trip in early February.
Dr. Dranz has recently donated some fossil speciments to the collection at the Smithsonian.
Several groups of Scouts will take fossil trips with Dr. Kranz in April, 2008.
Dr. Thomas Holtz's of the University of Maryland new book DINOSAURS is now on sale.
Last updated: January 25, 2008
On Wednesday, February 20th, Dr. Kranz will give a lecture titled "Dinosaurs of the National Capital Region: An Update" at the Paleontological Society of Washington at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Open to the public. High school aged students and adults, no children allowed. Meet at 7pm at the Constitution Avenue entrance to be escorted to the lecture.
On Friday, February 22nd, Arlington Summer Camp Fair at the Thomas Jefferson Center, 3501 2nd St S., Arlington, VA. Meet Dr. Kranz and sign up for Spring break and Summer Dinosaur Camps, 6pm-8pm, admission is free. Students looking for volunteer opportunities with Dinosaur Camp should come between 5pm and 6pm. For general Camp Fair information call Gladys Bourdouane at (703)228-7660.
On Saturday, March 8th, A child-friendly, hands-on dinosaur program will be held at Kinder Haus Toys 220 N. Fillmore St., Arlington, Va. (Just south of Clarendon Blvd, and two short blocks east from the Clarendon Metro stop with parking just across the street.) Program begins at 3pm, admission is free and seating is limited, please call 703-527-5929 for reservations.
Last updated: January 8, 2008
Reminder: The current proposed dates for Dinosaur Camp are:
Spring Break: weeks of 3/17/08; 3/24/08; 3/31/08
Summer: weeks of 6/16/08; 6/23/08; 6/30/08; 7/7/08; 7/21/08; 8/04/08; 8/18/08; 8/25/08.
Arlington Summer Camp Fair will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Center on February 29, from 6-8pm. For those people interested in volunteer Summer or Spring opportunities at Dinosaur Camp, please see Dr. Kranz between 5-8pm. Contact 703-228-7667.
Capitalsaurus Day 2008 will be January 28, 2008.
Some of the staff at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington will help start a plan to finally get Virginia a State Dinosaur. Stay tuned.