april, 2007. wyomings bighorn basin its more than just cowboys and rodeos …
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April, 2007
Wyoming’s bighorn basin Wyoming’s bighorn basin
It’s more than just cowboys and rodeos It’s more than just cowboys and rodeos ……
The Bighorn Basin of Wyoming
contains extensively documented
fossil deposits dating 542 million
years ago (Cambrian Period) to
the present.
World famous localities with:
- Dinosaur and marine reptile
bones
- Dinosaur eggshells
- Dinosaur tracks and trackways
- Primitive mammal fossils
Located on private land as well as state and federal land.
Dinosaur Quarries near Shell
“The Bighorn Basin is one of
the few places in the world
where the fossil record, as
shown in the rocks, is
uninterrupted from the
demise of dinosaurs through
the early diversification of
mammals”Source: USDI Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Grass Creek Resource Area Resource Management Plan September 1994
20,000 to 25,000 years ago a variety of large mammals died and plummeted 85 feet into what is now called Natural Trap Cave. "It's a world-class paleontological Pleistocene deposit."
"Essentially it has the entire record of the Pleistocene up until 10,000, 12,000 years ago."
Source: Billings Gazette, October, 2005
Primitive Mammals Natural Trap Cave in the
Bighorns
Dire Wolf
Saber-toothed lion
“The Bighorn Canyon rock
shelters study area contains
evidence of continuous
occupation by humans for
over 11,000 years”Source: Personal conversation with Dr. George FrisonProfessor emeritus of anthropology, University of Wyoming
Each year, major fossil discoveries
are collected and removed from
this part of the Bighorn Basin!
Where are these
Bighorn Basin Fossils?
Where are They?The famous allosaur “Big Al”, subject of the BBC / Discover video entitled “Allosaur” . . .
. . . Montana’s Museum of
the Rockies
The 1934 Howe Dinosaur Quarry collection of over 4,000 dinosaur bones collected by the famous paleontologist Barnum Brown . . .
. . . American Museum of Natural History,
New York City
Where are They?
The Howe-Stephens Dinosaur collection, featuring “Big Al Two”, the most complete allosaur ever discovered, and six other major dinosaur discoveries . . .
. . . Saurier Dinosaur Museum in
Switzerland
Where are They?
Rare Jurassic-age Dinosaur Eggshell Fossils . . .
. . . Smithsonian
Institution
Where are They?
Ancient Marine Reptile Fossils . . .
. . . Smithsonian
Institution
Where are They?
Ichthyosaur collected 1006 by the Smithsonian team near Shell
Plesiosaur pelvis in jacket – collected 2004 by Dr. Robin O’Keefe, New York
Why are they leaving our area?
Suitable facilities and
resources for
preparation, storage and
display of dinosaur fossils
are
NOT AVAILABLE!
Professional scientists, including
world famous anthropologists,
geologists, and paleontologists have
conducted research and collection
activities in the Bighorn Basin for
over 75 years . . .
Our Fossil Heritage is Relatively Unknown to the
Average Citizen!
Professional Geoscientists Currently Active Here (partial list)
Dr. Erik Kvale Dr. Neil Clark Kirby Siber Dr. Michael Brett-Surman
Dr. Matt Carrano Steve Jabo Pete Kroehler Dr. Robin O’Keefe Dr. Jack Beuthin
Dr. Paul Sereno Dr. James Farlow Dr Nick Fraser Dr. Brian Dade
These continuing research and educational activities are only loosely coordinated among entities.
Therefore
The rich natural resources of the area remains relatively unknown to the people of Wyoming and to the world.
WHAT DO WE NEED?
W E N E E D !
• GeoScience Center /Museum
- Display Bighorn Basin natural
history
- Educational resource for visitors
& residents
- Support Center for visiting
geoscientists
The Bighorn Basin Geoscience
Center is a new non-profit, tax-
exempt 501(c)(3) corporation
dedicated to geological,
paleontological, and archeological
research and education and to the
conservation of the natural
resources of the northern Bighorn
Basin of Wyoming.
Bighorn Basin GeoScience Bighorn Basin GeoScience CenterCenter
Bighorn Basin Bighorn Basin
GeoScience CenterGeoScience Center
Cliff Manuel, Chairman
President, GeoScience Adventures, Inc., Shell
John Coyne, Vice Chairman
President, Big Horn Federal Savings and Loan,
Greybull
Scott McCollough, Secretary & Treasurer
Attorney at Law, Greybull
Current Board of Directors
1.) Establish a permanent
facility in the Shell Valley of
Wyoming that serves as a museum
and interpretive center for
Bighorn Basin natural resources,
and features the major fossil
discoveries from this part of
Wyoming.
Primary Goals
2.) Provide a repository for type specimens, especially unique scientifically valuable fossils from the northern part of the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming.
Primary Goals
3.) Educate and inspire the public with an understanding and appreciation for the significant scientific and historical values of fossil specimens.
Primary Goals
Museum Concept
Feature Major Discoveries From our Area!
- The major Howe Dinosaur Quarry fossils
- Allosaur “Big Al Two”
- Camarasaurus “E.T.”
- Diplodocus full mount & crest
impressions
- Apatosaurus Baby “Toni”
- Stegosaurus “Lilly”
- Skull Casts
Howe –Stephens Quarry Dinosaurs
DinoRama 2006 Exhibit
Museum Concept
Other Major Fossil Discoveries From the Area!
- The Red Canyon Ranch Stegosaurus “Sarah”
- Rare Middle-Jurassic age Dinosaur Tracks
- Jurassic Marine Reptiles – Ichthyosaur and Plesiosaur
Red Canyon Ranch Stegosaurus “Sarah”One of the most complete Stegosaurus ever found!
Wyoming’s Middle-Jurassic Treasure
Rare Dinosaur Tracks
Marine Reptile Fossils
Ichthyosaur collected by the Smithsonian Team
Plesiosaur pelvis in jacket
Geology of the Bighorn Basin - depicting our rich geological history
1934 Howe Dinosaur Quarry history
- detailed in the book “Bones for Barnum
Brown”
Other Major Displays
Over 500 Million Years of Geologic History on Display in our Area
Sheep Mountain Anticline near Greybull
The K/T Boundary
The Beginning of the Mesozoic Era
(near the mouth of Shell Canyon)
Largest mass extinction event ever, triggering the “Age of
Dinosaurs”
The End of the Mesozoic Era(near the Greybull airport)
Mass extinction event ending the “Age of Dinosaurs”
The Age of Dinosaurs – Beginning to End!
The Barker Howe/ Barnum Brown/ Howe Quarry history
The Siber Team / Howe Quarry history
Displays from other institutions/entities - Smithsonian Institution
- Virginia Museum of Natural History in
Martinsville
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Iowa State University
- Dartmouth College
Other Bighorn Basin history - The “Bentonite Story”, Oil & Gas Industry
- Humans in the Bighorn Basin, Guest Ranching
Other Major Displays
Bentonite Industry
Sinclair Oil financed the original 1934 Howe Quarry Expedition
near Shell. This expedition inspired the famous Sinclair
“green dinosaur” logo.
Oil and Gas Industry
Guest Ranching (1930’s image)
2006 was the 100th anniversary of the discovery of oil in the
Bighorn Basin
Early Man in the Bighorn Basin
Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin
Deinonychus Site
Bighorn Canyon
Natural Trap Cave
Dinosaur Site
Draper Museum
Howe Quarry
Shell Falls
Dinosaur Tracks
Ancient Mammals
Mammoth Sites
Ancient Plants
Wyo Dino Center
Public Awareness Campaign July, 2006
Kirby Siber exhibited several of his Howe Quarry dinosaur mounts at Dinorama-2006 in Shell, including “Big Al Two”, the most complete Allosaurus specimen ever collected.
This effectively demonstrated the need for a the Bighorn Basin GeoScience Center so that we can conserve and display our natural resources in an appropriate local setting.
Public Awareness Campaign July, 2006
Thanks to our Dinorama
Sponsors !
- Display Housing & Support
– Dirty Annie’s Country Store
- Dino Specimen Shipping & Setup
– The Hideout
– Saurier Museum
– Black Hills Institute
- Promotion, Advertising, Logistics
– GeoScience Adventures
- Logistical /Financial Assistance
- Big Horn Rural Electric Co.
- Tri State
- TCT West
Phase Two
Preplanning and Site Selection - Establish a Strategic Planning Team
- Pursue grants for Preplanning & Design of Museum and
Exhibits.
- Solicit donation of real property for museum site.
- Prepare specifications for Museum and Exhibits
Construction Program - Pursue funding for construction of Museum and Exhibits.
Planned Activities
November 2006
Estimated CostsMuseum & Exhibits:
Estimated Initial Costs:Planning - $
500,000
Property - 500,000
Construction - 3,000,000
Exhibits / Displays - 2,000,000
Grants/Donations Needed:
Planning - Building / Exhibit
Designs
Real Property - Land, Utilities, Excavation, etc.
Construction - 20,000 sq. ft. @ $150/sq. ft.
Exhibits / Displays - “Adopt an Exhibit” Sponsors
Annual Attendance Projection
A first-class museum and interpretive center situated on U.S. Highway 14 near Shell, Wyoming, will draw an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 visitors annually, based on estimates of tourist traffic and
local visitations.
Other regional institutions annual attendance estimates:• Shell Falls Visitor Center 50,000 (est)• Buffalo Bill Historical Center 240,000 *• Wyoming Dinosaur Center 32,000 *• Devils Tower 450,000 *
* Source – Official Museum Directory 2005
An estimated 350,000 - 400,000 people travel over the Bighorn Mountain through Shell on highway 14 during the summer months
If just 15 % of those visitors stop at the museum, annual attendance could approach 50,000 visitors with annual income estimated at $250,000 to $300,000
Annual Income Projection
W H A T DO W E N E E D ?
Government and Local Support:
• Recognition of the area’s need for the
museum
• Promotion of Wyoming’s natural
resources
• Financial Assistance
Cooperating Entities (Potential)• Saurier Museum Aathal, Zurich, Switzerland• Howe Quarry Property Owners• Red Canyon Ranch Property Owners• Flitner Ranch• State of Wyoming & Neighboring States• USDI - Bureau of Land Management (BLM)• Iowa State University• Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of
Natural History• Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville• Draper Museum of Natural History, Cody• National Park Service• Local Businesses and Institutions
W H A T DO W E N E E D ?
Advisory Group (proposed)• Erik Kvale Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Devon Energy Corp
• Chris Dimock Businessman, Cody
• David Flitner Flitner Ranch, Shell
• Meredith Scott MD. Landowner, Shell
• Rick Magstadt Vice President Manufacturing, Wyo-Ben, Inc.
• Dan Close M-I SWACO
• John Ed Anderson Red Canyon Ranch, Shell
• H. J. (Kirby) Siber Director, Saurier Museum Aathal, Zurich, Switzerland
• James Farlow Ph.D. Professor of Geology, Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne
• Nicholas Fraser Ph.D. Curator, Virginia Museum of Natural History at Martinsville
• M. Brett-Surman Ph.D. Museum Specialist, Smithsonian Institution
• Brian Dade Ph.D. Professor of Geology, Dartmouth College
• Angela Botzer Production Editor, International Editions, National Geographic
W H A T DO W E N E E D ?
What are our neighboring states doing?Montana advertises the
Montana Dinosaur Trail . . .
. . . Museums or Interpretive Centers in thirteen localities in Montana.
Fort Peck Museum – Montana
Featuring “Peck’s Rex”
Phillips County Museum – Montana
Featuring “Leonardo” – (mummified dinosaur)
Utah and Colorado both advertise the Dinosaur Diamond . .
What are our neighboring states doing?
. . . A “Road Map” to museums and dinosaur localities in Utah and Colorado.
Price, Utah Museum
Castle Dale, Utah Museum
Woodland Park, Colorado Museum
The Black Hills of South Dakota advertises the Black Hills Museum Alliance with eleven museums in the area bordering eastern Wyoming . . .
. . . South Dakota Museum of Geology and Paleontology featuring local rocks and fossils
. . . Black Hills Museum of Natural History featuring the T-rex “Stan”
What are our neighboring states doing?
. . . The Mammoth Site – a National Natural Landmark featuring in-situ display of fossil mammoth bones
What is Wyoming doing?What is Wyoming doing?
Unlike our neighboring
states, “Wyoming’s Official
State Travel Website”
contains only general
information about dinosaur
sites.
Wyoming Visitor Center – Evanston, Wyoming 2006
(one dinosaur related brochure)
Brochure for Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Our neighboring states
are promoting their
natural resources . . .
. . . W E C A N A L S
O !
Bighorn Basin / Big Horn MountainsThere Really is a Pot of Gold here
January, 2007
CONTACT:
Cliff Manuel, Chairman
Bighorn Basin GeoScience Center
1802 Highway 14 E
Shell, Wyoming 82441
Phone: (307 765-2259 or (866) 765-2259
E-mail: cliff@bbgeoscience.org
Internet: www.bbgeoscience.org
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