Dinosaur National Monument turns 100 in 2015

DINOSAUR I Dinosaur National Monument turns 100 years old on Oct. 4 and is looking for community partners to help spread the word and join the celebration.

On Oct. 4, 1915, 80 acres of fossil-rich land in Northeast Utah were set aside as Dinosaur National Monument to protect “an extraordinary deposit of Dinosaurian and other gigantic reptilian remains of the Jurassic period.” A second proclamation in 1938 recognized the surrounding area’s spectacular scenery, geology, ecology and rich cultural history and expanded Dinosaur National Monument from 80 acres to over 210,000 acres, spanning the Utah-Colorado border.
From April through October 2015, a variety of special events and projects will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Dinosaur National Monument. Individuals and organizations are invited to share how they think the Dinosaur Centennial could be celebrated and how they might like to be involved.
The Dinosaur Centennial Partner Invitation form is available online at www.nps.gov/dino/ planyourvisit/dino100 or by request at 435-781-7700. The submission deadline is Feb. 14, 2015, to ensure inclusion in initial promotional efforts. A detailed schedule of events taking place in and around the monument will be available in early spring.
One simple way to start celebrating now is to bring your family and friends to the monument. The $20 Dinosaur Annual Pass pays for itself after only two visits and this year’s pass features the Dinosaur Centennial logo to help get you in the spirit. Passes are available for purchase at the Quarry Visitor Center, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
“The artwork for the Dinosaur Centennial logo contains symbols of the great diversity of life and landscapes here and offers a taste of what visitors can experience at the monument today,” said Monument Superintendent Mark Foust. “This anniversary is a perfect excuse to remind ourselves why Dinosaur is such a special place. Reconnect for ourselves, share these stories with others, and kick-start a second century of stewardship.”
For more information about the Dinosaur Centennial, visit the monument website or contact Sonya Popelka at 435-781-7701 or [email protected].
For more information about Dinosaur National Monument in general, call 435-781-7700, visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/dino, or follow DinosaurNPS on facebook or twitter.