Joggins Fossil Cliffs

Pond Hockey and March Break Activities

2012-01-24T11:46:00.005-04:00

POND HOCKEY!

Yes…..if the Hurley Road Pond Is frozen, we will play!!! Join us for a game of hockey --old style.
MARCH 10th
All ages can participate.
Free Hot Beverages will be provided.
Prizes to be won.

MARCH BREAK 12th – 16th

The Joggins Fossil Institute is planning a variety of activities for children ages 7 to 16. There are still details to finalize, but we wanted to take a moment to share some of the activities that we are offering. We will have a complete schedule posted soon – watch this space!

INDOOR GARDENING CLASS & COOKING YOUR VEGGIES
We plan to offer a class on starting your own indoor garden, and then in the afternoon teach what kind of meal can be prepared with the vegetables planted.

YOGA
A beginner’s yoga class will be held,

CUSTOM PERSONALIZED CARD CRAFT
Making beautiful cards for all occasions, and more!

A small fee may be charged to cover material costs.

What is in the works at the Joggins Fossil Centre this winter

2012-01-20T15:03:00.001-04:00

It is easy to understand how the staff of the Joggins Fossil Institute are kept busy in the peak of “tourist season” but when the snow comes and the tourists leave the staff still have significant work on their plates.

The winter is a great time to do all of those things that elude us in our busy season. For instance, our Curator of Palaeontology, Dr. Melissa Grey, has the opportunity to focus more on research and analyze data taken over the summer months. Click here to see the reference of the most recent paper published from the Joggins Institute entitled “The Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage site: a review of recent research”.

There are also many team projects to prepare us for the summer months. Funding proposals for interpreter positions are submitted, events for the coming year are planned, outreach events (March Break) and new exhibits for the gallery are designed. There is also a great deal of preparation for the financial year end: organizing information for an audit, counting inventory in the gift shop, and planning a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. We restock the gift shop, ensure that we market the site, we prepare and annual report which includes a review of the past year and a look to the next year and this year we have to prepare our first report on the status of the site for UNESCO.

Some of our staff even find it busier in the winter months simply because now is the time to do all those things that the summer does not allow for!

Are you looking for a fun, exciting place to work this summer?

2012-01-17T13:00:00.000-04:00

Summer student positions are now posted and we are accepting applications. Please see our current vacancies page for detailed information (application forms must be filled out). If you are a student registered in a co-op program, and are interested in using your work term for credit, please contact your co-op office.

Student positions will run from May 7th until August 31st. To be eligible for the positions you must be enrolled as a full time student in a post secondary institution, in the September term/semester.

The Joggins Fossil Institute encourages students from all disciplines to apply. Having background experience in geology, or tourism, is certainly helpful, but being a motivated team player is even more important. You can learn about palaeontology and how to share your knowledge with others. If you can bring a winning attitude and a desire to learn, we can teach you the rest.

If you are not a student and are interested in working at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site, positions are available and will be posted shortly.

Applications are due March 16th, 2012. If you have any questions please email Jordan at a.super@jogginsfossilcliffs.net.

Snow Ploughing and Snow Shoveling Wanted

2011-12-07T10:23:00.006-04:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute is currently looking for 2 applications.
One for a reliable inividual to shovel the snow and ice from the walkways at the Joggins Fossil Centre.
We are also looking for a reliable individual to plough the snow from the parking area as needed.

If you are interested in applying for either of these position please visit: http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/institute/jobs/CurrentPositions.php
of call 902-251-2727 ext 225 for more info.

The closing dates for both these position are December 16th.
Have a safe and happy Holiday Season!

Call for Volunteers for Maccan Woods Cleanup

2011-11-17T11:20:00.000-04:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute will be conducting another cleanup of the Maccan Woods as part of our commitment to the Adopt-a-Highway program and we need your help! We are currently seeking local volunteers to help us clean up garbage on Monday, Nov 21st at 8:00am so if you'd like to help us in keeping your community a clean one, call 251-2727, email edprog@jogginsfossilcliffs.net, or let us know here!

Halloween 2011 at the Joggins Fossil Centre

2011-11-04T11:31:00.011-03:00

We had another great turnout on Sunday for our annual Halloween Party, despite the unwelcome weather. Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo put on an exciting and educational show with their wide array of reptiles and amphibians including an alligator snapping turtle, a boa constrictor and a caiman. We also gave out treat bags to all and the person with the most creative costume also got a gift certificate good for the movies. Thanks to all who were in attendance and we’ll see you next year!

More Great feedback and a New Addition to the Official Collection

2011-11-01T13:22:00.004-03:00

It’s always good to hear feedback from visitors to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre. Chris Burnley from Nanaimo, BC had these comments to say about his family’s recent visit: “We really enjoyed our visit to Joggins –the display was excellent and our beach walk with Tammy was fascinating. Being able to see so many fossils in place and to learn about them was a real treat. Thanks … and all the best with the great work you are doing at Joggins. We’ll definitely visit again the next time we are back in the Maritimes”. Erin, Chris’ daughter, made a fascinating fossil discovery and because she showed a member of our interpretive staff, the fossil was added to the official Collection: a perfect example of how visitors can contribute to the science at the Joggins Fossil Institute. Good job Erin and thanks for the great feedback, Chris. In the photograph below is Erin Burnley (right) and her brother, Jacob, with Erin’s fossil discovery.

Another Great Season for the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre

2011-11-01T11:34:00.002-03:00

November is here which marks the ending of another fantastic season for the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre. Thanks to everyone, including our orange-shirted interpretive staff, for making this one of the best seasons yet! We will be open by appointment only from November 1st until April 21st so if you’d like to visit, please call 902-251-2727 or email info@jogginsfossilcliffs.net to book your appointment.

Halloween at the Joggins Fossil Centre

2011-10-07T15:04:00.000-03:00

Halloween is just around the corner. If you’re looking for something fun and exciting to do with the kids, why not bring them to the Joggins Fossil Centre on Sunday Oct 30th from 1-3 pm for our Halloween Party? This year will be better than the last as Little Ray's Reptile Zoo will be here with tarantulas, scorpions, lizards, snakes, etc! There will be fun games, activities and prizes to follow. Check out the poster for more information.

The 50th Anniversary of the Last Run of the Maritime Railway

2011-09-26T15:59:00.003-03:00

Thanks to everyone who was in attendance at the Joggins Fossil Centre this weekend for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the last run of the Maritime Railway. The event was a success and thanks to the organizers who played an integral part in helping the community to remember and celebrate this by-gone era.

50th Anniversary of the Last Run of the Maritime Railway

2011-09-21T11:03:00.004-03:00

Join us at the Joggins Fossil Centre this weekend as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the last run of the Maritime Railway. The Maritime Railway operated between Joggins and Maccan from 1887 until 1961. There will be lots of fun activities for people of all ages including model railway displays, videos, music, BBQ, cash bar, etc. See the poster for more details.

Wednesday September 21st is ZeDay!

2011-09-18T13:59:00.001-03:00

Don't forget that Wednesday, September 21st is Zero Emissions Day. Share with us your plans for the day that involve not burning fossil fuels. For more information, please visit http://zeday.org

Canada AM Live in Parrsboro!

2011-09-09T13:34:00.003-03:00

Join Jeff Hutcheson from Canada AM on September 15th at 8:00 in Parrsboro as he highlights why the Bay of Fundy deserves to become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The Joggins Fossil Institute's Director, Jenna Boon, will also be there to speak about the geology of the area.

Just a reminder that there is only 2 months and 2 days left to cast your vote for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. What are you waiting for? Make your vote count today!

Bay of Fundy Travel Show

2011-09-02T09:29:00.003-03:00

Click the link below to check out the new episode of the Bay of Fundy Travel Show featuring the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre. Enjoy!

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV1odhpUO3w

Irene's Wake at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs

2011-08-30T16:16:00.004-03:00

Check out these photos taken at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs on Monday, August 29th at high tide in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene! This is a rare look at the power of the Bay of Fundy.

This photo was taken at Lower Cove.

Joggins is in the News...Again!

2011-08-30T11:41:00.003-03:00

Check out this article from today's (August 30th) Chronicle Herald that features how new technology is being used to predict erosion rates of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. Very cool stuff!

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1260764.html

Tropical Storm Irene

2011-08-28T11:28:00.001-03:00

Tropical storm Irene is making its way towards the Maritimes. It appears that the brunt of the storm will happen overnight with heavy rain and high winds expected. The Joggins Fossil Centre will continue to remain open as usual today (Sunday, August 28th) from 9:30 until 6:30 with half-hour Logan tours leaving at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30. Updates will be posted as they become available or call 902-251-2727.

Meet Some of Our Interpretive Team!

2011-08-25T15:08:00.012-03:00

Our interpreters are some of the most knowledgeable people you can meet when it comes to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. They lead tours ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours of the Cliffs through rain or shine. All of our interpreters receive great feedback from visitors and some even receive gifts such as flower arrangements, blocks of cheese, books, ovations, aviator sunglasses, donations, etc. Here’s a chance to get to know some of our team a bit better:

Hi, my name is Jacquelyn Maxwell and I am from Halifax, NS. This is my first year as an interpreter at the Joggins Fossil Centre as a co-op student. I am currently entering the fourth year of my Environmental Science degree at the University of King's College. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate studies in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. My favourite activity at the Joggins Fossil Centre is guiding the two hour Lyell Tour.

Hi, my name is Dana Brown and this is my first year as an interpreter at the Joggins Fossil Centre. As a long-time Joggins resident, I am very familiar with the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and I am very happy to be putting my local knowledge to use. I enjoy palaeontology, geology, history, photography and walking the shores in search of fossils. My favourite thing to do at the Joggins Fossil Centre is to lead the 2 hour Lyell tour. In the future, I hope to continue a career in interpretation.

Hello, my name is William Murray and this is my second year as an interpreter for the Joggins Fossil Centre. I graduated from Mount Allison in 2008 with a BA in History. I have been working and volunteering as an archaeologist and a palaeontologist for a number of years. I am a team leader and training officer for Springhill Search and Rescue. In the fall, I am attending Memorial University for my BEd. My favourite thing about my job is to show people the natural wonders of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site on guided tours.

My name is Christiane Theriault and I am a bilingual interpreter at the Joggins Fossil Centre. This is my first year as an interpreter at the Joggins Fossil Centre as a co-op student. I am studying Geology at Acadia University so I feel right at home here in Joggins amongst all the fossils! People can be so interesting and I can be quite the chatter box at times, especially when any Geology-related subject is brought up. When I am not working, I am most likely playing music; I play piano, guitar, and I sing. I also enjoy hiking...anything that can get me outside, really! The part I enjoy most about my job is continually meeting new people from all over the world.

Joyce's Famous Ginger Cookies Recipe

2011-08-24T11:50:00.004-03:00

Due to popular demand, here is the recipe for Joyce's famous ginger cookies:

Ingredients:
2 cups of flour
½ tsp of salt
2 tsp of baking soda
2 tsp of ginger
2 tsp of cinnamon
1 tsp of nutmeg
½ cup of unsalted butter
1 cup of brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup of molasses

Preheat oven to 375˚. Combine ingredients and roll in to balls. Cover balls in sugar and bake in oven 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!

Detour in Maccan Friday, July 29th.

2011-07-28T13:35:00.003-03:00

For those of you travelling to visit us in Joggins tomorrow (Friday, July 29th), there will be a detour as a railway crossing in Maccan where Highway 302 meets Highway 242 is being closed for maintenance from 12 noon until 12 midnight. Visitors coming from Amherst will continue on Highway 302 to Newville and turn right on to Boars Back Road (the majority of this road is unpaved) and travel through to River Hebert and on to Joggins (see map). Those visitors travelling from Parrsboro will also detour through Boars Back Road. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

To see a detailed map with driving directions, please copy and paste the link below in to your internet browser:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=NS-302+S&daddr=45.5279203,-64.3441028+to:45.684342,-64.429973+to:Main+St&hl=en&sll=45.682139,-64.413614&sspn=0.041076,0.090551&geocode=FdK3uQIdNpgr_A%3BFXCztgId2i8q_ClH-3eMPsdYSzEsUroQcU6DYQ%3BFXYWuQIda-Ao_CnPuQyThLFYSzEeCqyRc45Jxg%3BFW4_uQIdlJco_A&mra=dme&mrsp=3&sz=14&via=1,2&z=14

2011 International Year of Forests

2011-07-05T14:18:00.002-03:00

Did you know that 2011 is the International Year of Forests, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly? The objective behind this is to celebrate people’s action to sustainably manage the world’s forests and to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. For more information about the International Year of the Forests, please visit http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/.

Third Anniversary of World Heritage Inscription for the Joggins Fossil Cliffs.

2011-07-05T14:05:00.002-03:00

Thursday, July 7th is the 3rd anniversary of World Heritage Inscription for the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. To help us celebrate, Community Forests International (http://forestsinternational.org/) will be planting 200 trees around the Joggins Fossil Centre to aid in our brownfield remediation program. Stop by and check out their exhibit in the Centre. Also, this day only, you can get a discounted Green Building Tour of the Centre as well. For more information about this and other events happening at the Joggins Fossil Centre and Cliffs, please visit http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/visitors/WhatsHappening.php

Local Graduate Wins Bursary

2011-07-05T11:28:00.000-03:00

Congratulations to recent River Hebert High School graduate, Jenna Porter. Jenna was the proud recipient of a $200 bursary from the Joggins Fossil Institute. The money for the bursary was collected through the Institute’s Casual Friday’s when staff can wear blue jeans for a $1 donation. Well done, Jenna!

Canada Day at Joggins!

2011-07-01T13:49:00.014-03:00

Happy Canada Day everyone! The Joggins Fossil Centre once again participated in the town's parade organized by the Joggins Volunteer Fire Department. Our new addition to this year's parade were model trees to help celebrate the UN's International Year of Forests and trees, of course, are one of the famous fossils found on the Cliffs!

Father's Day at the Joggins Fossil Centre

2011-06-23T11:56:00.009-03:00

We had a great turnout for our annual Father’s Day Celebration last Sunday. Lots of lobster dinners and sausage dinners were enjoyed while taking in the breathtaking view of the bay from our multipurpose room. It’s too bad that the weather didn’t cooperate enough to have the washer toss tournament, but it was very nice of local residents Ron and Beth Baker to join us to celebrate their 46th anniversary. Congrats Ron and Beth and thanks to all who celebrated Father’s Day with us at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre.

Ron and Beth Baker celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary with us. Congrats!

Joggins Fossil Institute Conducts First Cleanup of Maccan Woods

2011-06-14T10:18:00.011-03:00

Friday was our first cleanup of the Maccan Woods, a 5km stretch along Route 242 which the Joggins Fossil Institute has adopted through Nova Scotia’s “Adopt-a-Highway” Program. We had 13 volunteers who worked for 5 hours to collect 8 tires, a kitchen sink, a bumper, various car parts, cans, bottles, clothes, and 42 bags of garbage!

The Joggins Fossil Institute’s application to adopt this section of highway is valid under the condition that cleanups are conducted twice a year in the spring and fall for the next three years. “No Littering” signs will be installed as well as signs to let motorists know that the Joggins Fossil Institute has adopted this highway. We would like to thank the River Hebert/Parrsboro Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Depot for supplying the team with safety vests, garbage bags, and safety signage for the cleanup.

Although no amount of litter is acceptable, this section of Route 242 appears to attract more than its fair share of waste. The Joggins Fossil Institute believes that by participating in the “Adopt-a-Highway” program, we can help to keep part of Route 242 clean which will benefit the community and instil a sense of pride for its residents.

For more information about the “Adopt-a-Highway” program, please visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/wi/projects/adopt.shtml

UBC's Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability will be the Greenest Building in North America

2011-06-09T17:45:00.002-03:00

This is amazing! The University of British Columbia's Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) will be the greenest building in North America once it is completed later this year.

Click this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL-47Vc1kHg&feature=player_detailpage
and check out the video. Feel free to leave your comments.

A view of Joggins from Rockport, New Brunswick

2011-06-09T17:22:00.001-03:00

Check out this photo! The photographer was Janice Tower who took the photo from across the bay in Rockport, NB. A great perspective that we don't often get to see! Thanks Janice!

World Oceans Day

2011-06-08T11:20:00.002-03:00

Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day. Proposed in 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the sister to Earth Day, World Oceans Day is an opportunity to celebrate the Earth’s oceans, the products it provides, its intrinsic value, and ways to conserve and protect it. The theme for 2011 is “Youth: The Next Wave for Change”. For more info, please visit www.worldoceansday.org.

Father's Day at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs

2011-06-06T13:21:00.004-03:00

Father's Day is just around the corner. Why not treat Dad to some lobster and a guided tour of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site? Check out the poster for more information.

LiDAR at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site

2011-05-26T11:13:00.006-03:00

This is a LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) image of a section of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cliffs will be captured in georeferenced LiDAR surveys by Dalhousie University, in collaboration with CoGS (Centre of Geographic Sciences), as they continue to erode. The captures will include the fossil trees and fluvial meanderbelt systems. These successive captures will allow for paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the standing forest and fluvial meanderbelt system in 3D.

If only Sir Charles Lyell and Sir John Dawson were alive to see this!

The Art of Visiting: An Exhibition of Hooked Rugs by Deanne Fitzpatrick

2011-05-17T13:18:00.003-03:00

“The Art of Visiting”, a show of original hooked rugs by Deanne Fitzpatrick, explores the nature of relationship and visiting. Each rug is hand hooked in the traditional fashion using wool cloth and other materials. Deanne Fitzpatrick is the author of four books on rug hooking and her work is in the permanent collections of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and The Rooms.

“The Art of Visiting” will be on display at the Joggins Fossil Centre from July 7th until August 31st. For more information on rug hooking and Deanne Fitzpatrick’s work, please email info@hookingrugs.com. For more information on Deanne’s “The Art of Visiting” exhibition at the Joggins Fossil Centre, please email info@jogginsfossilcliffs.net or call toll free 1-888-932-9766.

For more information about events happening this year at the Joggins Fossil Centre, please visit our Calendar of Events at http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/visitors/WhatsHappening.php

CBC TV- en francais

2011-05-14T15:03:00.002-03:00

Check out CBC TV (French) for a recent story on the Joggins Fossil Cliffs!

Here is the link:

http://www.radio-canada.ca/audio-video/pop.shtml#urlMedia=http://radio-canada.ca/Medianet/2011/RDI2/2011-05-13_17_00_00_TJ_011_500.xml&epr=true

Hollow Tree Sculpture for Hylonomus Exhibit

2011-05-04T13:17:00.014-03:00

Check out these photos of the construction and transportation of Mark Boon's interpretation of Hylonomus lyelli denning inside its hollow tree. The sculpture was donated to the Centre as part of our interpretative display for the Hylonomus exhibit. A big thanks to Mark and to Ron Baker for helping us transport the sculpture from Mark's studio to the Centre. Thank you also to the River Hebert Co-op for lending equipment that greatly helped in the transportation of this fantastic sculpture!

If you haven't been in to the Centre to see Hylonomus, the world's oldest reptile fossil, what are you waiting for? Hylonomus will be on display at the Centre until October 31st.

It all starts with a good foundation

Lots of wire mesh and rebar for structural support

The start of what will be 9 bags of concrete!

The artist, Mark Boon, at work.

The mould for Hylonomus.

A nervous few minutes until we loaded it on the truck.

Again..nervous.

From left to right: Mark Boon, Jenna Boon, Melissa Grey, Nick, Ryan Faulkner and Ron Baker.

The artist and his sculpture safe and sound inside the Centre. Whew!

Mother's Day Brunch

2011-04-30T14:16:00.009-03:00

Once again, the Joggins Fossil Cliffs encourages you to celebrate Mother's Day with us. We will be having a wonderful brunch served between 10am and noon. This will be a relaxing and elegant day as our way to thank all of the moms in the community who have given so much and have asked so little.

So please, bring Mom down to the Joggins Fossil Centre on May 8th. Sit down to enjoy a cup of tea with the best view in the house and enjoy good times and good food with your mother. We'll do the cooking. Prices are $15.00 per person but only $7.50 for mothers and children.

You can find out more about the by checking out our posters hung at vendors all around the Twin Cities (Joggins and River Hebert) or click here.

Joggins Fossil Cliffs at Saltscapes Expo

2011-04-28T14:28:00.000-03:00

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, why not stop by the Saltscapes Expo at Exhibition Park in Halifax? The Joggins Fossil Cliffs will be there along with Fundy Geological Museum and Cape Chignecto Provincial Park. Visit our booth and receive a gift from the Joggins Fossil Centre! See you there!

Opening Day Celebrations at the Joggins Fossil Centre

2011-04-26T16:24:00.007-03:00

We had a great turnout on Saturday for the opening to the 2011 season and the unveiling of the Hylonomus lyelli exhibit. The presentation began with speeches from Larry Latta (Vice-Chair for the Joggins Fossil Institute's Board of Directors) and Jenna Boon (Director of the Joggins Fossil Institute) about how exciting it is to have Hylonomus home again in Joggins after 152 years. Next, world-renowned vertebrate palaeontologist Dr. Jenny Clack from Cambridge University gave a very interesting presentation about the significance of the Hylonomus fossil and how it, the earliest known reptile, fits into the evolutionary tree. Dr. Clack also touched on other important Joggins discoveries including more tetrapod remains belonging to amphibians which were mostly found in fossilized trees, as was Hylonomus.

Thanks to all who attended.

Hylonomus lyelli will be on display for the remainder of the 2011 season (until October 31st) at the Joggins Fossil Centre.

Larry Latta
Jenna Boon
Dr. Jenny Clack

Joggins Fossil Centre Opening and Hylonomus lyelli Unveiling

2011-04-20T12:28:00.002-03:00

Don't forget that the Joggins Fossil Centre opens for the 2011 season this Friday! Also, the unveiling of Hylonomus lyelli, Nova Scotia's Provincial Fossil, is on Saturday which includes a presentation at 2 by Dr. Jenny Clack, vertebrate palaeontologist from the UK. Join us as we celebrate the return of Hylonomus to Nova Scotia and Joggins after 152 years! See you there!

Nomination Grand Pré Hosts Symposium

2011-04-06T11:31:00.004-03:00

Join Nomination Grand Pré as they host a symposium on the heritage of water and International Day for Monuments and Sites: an event recognized by UNESCO. The event takes place on Saturday, April 16th from 8:30-4:30 at the KC Irving Environmental Science Centre, Acadia University. Following the symposium, a reception will be held from 4:30-6:30. A day of community events will also take place on April 17, 1- 4 pm, at Grand Pré National Historic Site.

International Day for Monuments and Sites recognizes the diversity of cultural heritage that is shared by humanity. The day raises awareness about the efforts required to protect and conserve world heritage. Each year, International Day for Monuments and Sites celebrates a different aspect of our collective heritage and the theme this year is the heritage of water.

The symposium on Saturday, April 16 is hosted by Acadia University and is revolves around three themes: water as landscapes, water as a way of life, and water as transportation. Speakers include Peter Labor (Heritage River Program), Dr. Graham Daborn (Acadia University), Jenna Boon (Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site), Laurence Mawhinney, (Old Town Lunenburg World Heritage Site), Roy Bishop, (Acadia University (ret’d)), David Scott (Dalhousie University), Albert Marshall (Mi’kmaq community of Eskasoni), John Shaw (Bedford Institute of Oceanography) and Pam Buell (Parks Canada, Rideau Canal World Heritage Site).

For a complete listing of event details, please visit http://www.nominationgrandpre.ca.

Hylonomus lyelli is Coming Home to Joggins

2011-03-30T09:50:00.005-03:00

Great news! Hylonomus lyelli, the world’s oldest reptile fossil and found only at Joggins in 1859, is returning home! Join us at the Joggins Fossil Centre on Saturday, April 23rd from 2-4 pm for the exhibit unveiling and a special presentation by Dr. Jenny Clack, world-renowned vertebrate palaeontologist from Cambridge University. Hylonomus lyelli, the ancestor to dinosaurs and Nova Scotia’s Provincial Fossil, is on loan from the Museum of Natural History, London and will be on display at the Joggins Fossil Centre for the 2011 season.

This presentation has been brought to you in partnership with the Atlantic Geoscience Society and the Joggins Fossil Institute.

Joggins Fossil Cliffs Circa 1952

2011-03-29T16:15:00.005-03:00

A fossilized tree preserved in situ A nice Sigillaria tree cross-section

This tree was about 6 m (20 ft) long!

These photos were donated to the Joggins Fossil Institute by Laurie Glenn Norris. The photos were given to her by Nancy Benn who took them in 1952. Amazing!

March 26th at 8:30 pm is Earth Hour

2011-03-25T13:49:00.000-03:00

Don't forget that this Saturday, March 26th at 8:30pm, Earth Hour begins. Remember to switch your lights off at this time for an hour and take a stand against climate change. Last year, over 128 countries and territories participated in this global event and this year will hopefully be even better. For more information, visit http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx. Share your Earth Hour experiences with us here!

March 22nd is World Water Day

2011-03-17T16:56:00.004-03:00

March 22nd is World Day for Water. This is an internationally recognized event which brings awareness to current critical water issues and stems from the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations and its affiliated nations devote March 22nd to implementing UN recommendations and encouraging activities and events within their countries relating to the world's water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. This year’s theme is “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge”.

If you’d like to learn more about World Water Day events and activities happening in your country, please visit http://www.worldwaterday.org

At the Joggins Fossil Centre, water conservation is very important. There are two main types of water systems at the Centre: potable and non-potable water. Ground-sourced water must undergo filtration before it is suitable for consumption (potable). The reason for the filtration is due to the fact that the mining industry that once took place in Joggins (the Joggins Fossil Centre is located where the Joggins No.7 mine once stood) has made ground water very hard. The ground-sourced water is treated through ultra violet light, anti-scaling, filtration and reverse osmosis. The treated potable water in then stored on-site. Any “waste” water created from the treatment of the ground water is also stored for non-potable needs. Non-potable water is also collected from the Centre’s green roof and stored onsite to flush toilets and water plants. Given the resources required to create potable water for public consumption, the Joggins Fossil Centre takes great measures to conserve water. This is why all of the bathroom facilities have taps that turn off automatically, dual flush toilets that use collected non-potable water and waterless urinals.

If you’d like to learn more about water conservation at the Joggins Fossil Centre, contact Jordan LeBlanc at 902-251-2727 ext 225 to book a Green Building Tour today.

Share your World Day for Water activities with us here!

Fundy's Facinating Fossils!

2011-03-15T14:05:00.003-03:00

The Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership has released the next issue of their "Fundy Issues" newsletter entitled: "Fundy's Facinating Fossils: The Unique Palaeontology of the Bay of Fundy". The issue, written for a general audience, covers important and interesting fossil sites around the Bay and, of course, highlights the Joggins Fossil Cliffs! Check it out here.

New Television Series Showcasing Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Sites

2011-03-03T11:09:00.003-04:00

TFO will be launching a new television series called La Part du Monde. In the form of a travel narrative, this series follows an adventurer in his visit to Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The series will begin airing on Saturday, March 5th at 7:30pm (EST) with an episode showcasing the magnificence that is Gros Morne National Park. TFO is widely available on cable in ON, QC, NB and parts of MB, and on Bell satellite TV across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.tfo.org/emissions.

Here's the latest schedule for La Part du Monde:

26/03/2011 Lunenburg
02/04/2011 Le parc national de Miguasha (Miguasha National Park)
09/04/2011 Les Rocheuses (Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks)
16/04/2011 L'Anse aux Meadows
23/04/2011 Le parc provincial des dinosaures (Dinosaur Provincial Park)
30/04/2011 Les Falaises fossilifères de Joggins (Joggins Fossil Cliffs)
07/05/2011 Le parc international de la paix Waterton Glacier(Waterton Glacier International Peace Park)

Keep watching this spot for updates as they become available.

New Job Postings!

2011-03-01T15:31:00.001-04:00

Are you looking for an exciting place to work for the summer? Interested in gaining work experience at a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The Joggins Fossil Institute is currently recruiting interpreters for the upcoming season so if this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please visit http://jogginsfossilcliffs.net/institute/jobs and follow the instructions for completing an application. The deadline for submissions is March 21st. Good luck!

March Break at the Joggins Fossil Centre

2011-02-28T13:00:00.003-04:00

Looking for something to do with the kids during March Break? Why not plan a trip to the Joggins Fossil Centre? We will be open 1-4 pm on Monday, March 14th until Friday, March 18th with fun activities available. All ages welcome. For driving directions, please visit http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/visitors/directions.

Vehicle Donated to the Joggins Fossil Institute by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources

2011-01-25T15:33:00.004-04:00

This is our new vehicle generously donated to the Joggins Fossil Institute by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. At first glance, this vehicle may not seem to mesh with the environmental conservation initiatives of the Joggins Fossil Institute. However, since this vehicle has been well maintained, it still gets close to the same fuel economy as a new vehicle of the same proportions. Also, there are certain environmental impacts that are associated with recycling an older vehicle and the production of a new one. In fact, a 2004 study by Toyota states that as much as 28% of the carbon dioxide pollution generated by a vehicle throughout its lifespan takes place during the vehicle’s production and transportation to the dealership!(1) Since this truck has already completed this part of its lifecycle, it makes sense to keep it on the road and well maintained to ensure maximum fuel economy. By doing so, the Joggins Fossil Institute has saved 28% of the CO2 emissions associated with buying a new vehicle.

As you can see, we’ve equipped the truck with a snowplough for removing snow from the Joggins Fossil Centre parking area: a job which was previously contracted out to a private business. As some of you with longer driveways and businesses may know, the cost of having snow removed can be high and is something that has to be considered when assessing budgets. However, with the addition of this truck and snowplough, the Joggins Fossil Institute is saving literally thousands of dollars! Besides ploughing snow, the Institute uses the truck for transporting recyclables, refundables and waste to the appropriate facilities. This also saves the Institute money because in the past, this was contracted out as well. The truck will also be used for transporting materials, such as fossils, to and from the Centre.

As a non-profit charitable organization, the Joggins Fossil Institute must take great care in managing its finances. Since the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources has graciously donated this vehicle, the Institute can reallocate the funds used previously for snow and waste removal to other vital areas needed to maintain the integrity of the world-class experience to be had at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thanks once again to the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources for their generosity in donating this vehicle to the Joggins Fossil Institute.

1: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=when-used-cars-are-more-ecofriendly

The Scene Today at the Joggin Fossil Cliffs

2011-01-25T14:53:00.003-04:00

This is the scene today at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. The recent cold weather (-39 C yesterday and -34 C today with the wind-chill) is causing ice to form on the beach. Sometimes it can form large ice cakes which make loud noises when they begin to thaw. Keep watching this space for new developments.

New Job Postings Available!

2011-01-20T13:08:00.001-04:00

There are new job postings available on the Joggins Fossil Cliffs website. Go to http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/institute/jobs/CurrentPositions.php and follow the directions for submitting an application. Good luck to all those who apply!

Positive Feedback About the Joggins Fossil Centre and Cliffs

2011-01-10T15:12:00.004-04:00

At the Joggins Fossil Institute, we always enjoy receiving feedback from visitors about their experience at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre. Read below to see what Myrna Matheson, a local resident, had to say about a recent visit to the Joggins Fossil Centre and Cliffs with some of her extended family:

“I had my brother's teenagers to the Joggins Fossil Centre this summer. They really enjoyed lunch, the Centre and the beach experience, but as an add-on, I asked for a Green Building Tour of the Centre. A great young man gave us a great tour and when these 3 teenagers from Alberta met their parents later, they raved about all of the environmental things you were incorporating into the building and landscape!!!

The staff at the Joggins Fossil Centre is doing a great job!! We are always delighted to take our guests to the Centre. It is such a great asset for the area.

Myrna Matheson”

Thanks for the great feeback, Myrna. If you'd like to leave feedback about your experience at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre or would like more information about Green Building Tours of the Joggins Fossil Centre, please email info@jogginsfossilcliffs.net

The Joggins Fossil Centre's Annual Holiday Sale

2010-12-08T10:19:00.007-04:00

Join us at the Joggins Fossil Centre on December 9th between 4pm and 8pm for our Annual Holiday Sale. What a great way to finish (or start!) your shopping with up to 50% off selected items from our Gift Shop. The Roundhouse Cafe will also be serving complimentary hot chocolate and baked goods so grab a warm drink, have a bite to eat and find that special someone the perfect gift at the Joggins Fossil Centre.

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs is in the News!

2010-12-01T11:42:00.002-04:00

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs is in the news! British and Canadian scientists studying 300 million year old Carboniferous fossils from Joggins, Horton Bluff, Sydney and Europe have concluded that a sudden, global warming-driven breakdown of rainforests actually helped propel the Earth's earliest reptiles, like Hylonomus lyelli which Joggins is famous for, to the top of the era's evolutionary hierarchy. Click here to view the complete article.

Former Joggins Fossil Centre Interpreter Receives Award

2010-12-01T10:15:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Afiqah Mohamad Radzi for winning the Imperial Oil Best Poster Award at the 60th Annual Atlantic Universities Geological Conference (AUGC) held recently at Acadia University. Afiqah is an honours geology student at Acadia and she won the prize for her poster on her honours thesis research entitled "Petrography of stratigraphic units in the subsurface in the Phetchabun Basin, Thailand”. Before returning to school this year, Afiqah spent her summer with us working as an interpreter. Way to go, Afiqah and keep up the good work!

Joggins Fossil Centre Featured in an Advanced Glazings Advertisement

2010-11-25T14:54:00.003-04:00

Check out this ad by Advanced Glazings featuring the Solera® windows of the Joggins Fossil Centre! Based out of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Advanced Glazings manufactures and markets sustainable technologies related to sunlight. Visit the Advanced Glazings blog at http://blog.advancedglazings.com to see a brief video about their products and leave an innovative comment for your chance to win an iPad!

Paleontological Journals Donated to the Joggins Fossil Institute's In-House Library

2010-11-16T15:24:00.006-04:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank Dr. Paul Smith from the University of British Columbia for generously donating these paleontological journals. The journals are a great addition to our in-house library and cover paleontological topics from as early as 1935. For more information about the Joggins Fossil Institute’s Library, please visit www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/research/Library.php

Over 200 Fossils Added to Collection!

2010-11-16T14:34:00.006-04:00

Over 200 Joggins fossils, including trackways, animal remains and plants (such as the Sigillaria tree stump pictured above), have come home to the Joggins Fossil Centre's Collection Room. All these specimens were collected over many years by Matt Stimson under the Province's Heritage Research Permit system and we are happy to now house these fossils for others to enjoy and perform research on.

The Joggins Fossil Centre's 3rd Annual Halloween Party

2010-11-04T13:50:00.003-03:00

We had about 30 children dressed in their best Halloween costumes at the Centre for fun games and prizes as part of our annual Halloween Party on Sunday. The children had fun painting their own Halloween fossil casts and partaking in our gallery scavenger hunt. We were also amazed at the children’s green thumbs for growing white “Earth Day” pumpkins. Some of them were over 75lbs! Here’s one of the pumpkin farmers:

We'll see you all next year for the Joggins Fossil Centre's 4th Annual Halloween Party.

United Nations Day Celebrations

2010-10-27T14:33:00.017-03:00

Sunday, October 24th was United Nations Day. We had a good turnout from the community who came have a bite to eat and listen to presentations from our own Jenna Boon, Director of the Joggins Fossil Institute, Dr. Larry Ostola from Parks Canada, and Tim Badman from the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

Jenna began the presentations with an overview of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many topics were touched on including the outstanding universal value that the Joggins Fossil Cliffs presents to humanity, the grand exposure of the cliffs, and the research that has taken place in Joggins since the 1800’s.

Tim Badman presented on what’s happening with other World Heritage sites from a global perspective. He also discussed the criteria involved for becoming a World Heritage site and that the application process for the prestigious status takes a lot of time and dedication. He also mentioned that the Joggins Fossil Cliffs nomination document for inscription on World Heritage List was one of the most complete and thorough nomination documents received by the UN and serves as a model for

future nominations.

Dr. Larry Ostola concluded the presentations by providing an overview of the other 14 Canadian World Heritage sites. He also gave us an inside look at Canadian sites that Parks Canada is working with for preparing an application for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We also had Westcumb Amateur Radio Club (W.A.R.C.) onsite broadcasting to other UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the globe as part of our UN Day celebrations.

The Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank all who attended this event. We would also like to thank Mr. Tim Badman and Dr. Larry Ostola for their interesting and informative presentations and to Westcumb Amateur Radio Club for connecting Joggins to other UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world on this special day. We hope to see you all next year for our 2011 United Nations Day Celebrations.

Third Annual Joggins Fossil Centre Halloween Party

2010-10-26T10:07:00.004-03:00

Looking for something to do with the kids before you take them trick-or-treating on Sunday? Why not bring them to the Joggins Fossil Centre for our third annual Halloween party? The event runs from 1-3pm and there will fun games and activities with treats and prizes. We will also be awarding prizes for the white "Earth Day" pumpkin growing competition. Be there...if you dare!!!!

United Nations Day - Sunday October 24th

2010-10-23T10:15:00.002-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute is pleased that Tim Badman and Dr. Larry Ostola will be joining us on Sunday to celebrate United Nations Day. Tim and Larry will be giving us short presentations on global and national heritage. Tim joins us from Gland, Switzerland and Larry joins us from Quebec.

Here is a brief introduction to our excellent guests.

Dr. Larry Ostola

Dr. Larry Ostola is the Director General of National Historic Sites with the Parks Canada Agency. In addition to his national responsibilities related to National Historic Sites, Dr. Ostola also provides national leadership and functional expertise in Canada related to built heritage and historic places generally.

Prior to assuming his present position, Dr. Ostola was first, Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, and then Director of Parks Canada’s Ontario Service Centre responsible for providing professional and technical services in disciplines such as terrestrial and underwater archaeology, historical research, planning and conservation.

Larry presently serves as the Head of the Canadian Delegation to the World Heritage Committee and was responsible for the organization of the 32nd session of the World Heritage Committee in Quebec City in 2008.

He holds a B.A. in History from McGill University, an M.A. in history from the Université de Montréal and a Ph.D. also in history, from Université Laval.

Mr. Tim Badman

Tim Badman is Head of the World Heritage Programme at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He joined IUCN in August 2007, and was previously based in Dorset County Council (UK) as Environment Policy Manager.

Between 2000-2006 Tim was the team leader of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, a role which included the supervision of the nomination process which culminated in inscription on the World Heritage List in 2001, and the subsequent development of the World Heritage programme for this site.

Tim has been a member of IUCN’s World Commission for Protected Areas since 2002 and has served on IUCN’s World Heritage Panel since 2003, carrying out a range of World Heritage evaluation missions and working as part of the IUCN delegation to the annual UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Tim is the focal point for IUCN’s work on earth science within the World Heritage Convention and an adviser to UNESCO`s Global Geoparks Network. Tim trained as a geologist and countryside manager in Southampton and Manchester (UK). Aside from World Heritage, his career has mainly focussed on coastal zone management and on policy and management of protected landscapes/seascapes (IUCN Category V protected areas).

ON SUNDAY - the centre is open to the public for free. Come to Joggins and join us in Celebrating the United Nations. Presentations will be from 1 - 3 pm.

Press Release from Mount Allison University

2010-10-10T09:54:00.002-03:00

Mount Allison researchers study how changes in the environment affect evolution
2010-09-20 09:20:39
SACKVILLE, NB —

As many scientists believe we are experiencing the sixth mass extinction, researchers from Mount Allison University, the Joggins Fossil Institute, and Acadia University are examining the fossil record to see how changes in the environment affect evolution.

“The earth has experienced five mass extinctions in its history. The more we can understand about evolution, the more we can understand our effect on the biodiversity of the planet,” says Dr. Melissa Grey, adjunct professor at Mount Allison University, curator of paleontology at the Joggins Fossil Institute, and lead researcher on the project.

Grey has a prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship for this research at Mount Allison University. She is collaborating with Dr. Zoe Finkel, Environmental Science Program Coordinator at Mount Allison, and Dr. Peir Pufahl from Acadia University.

The focus of the study is the humble ostracod — a bivalved crustacean the size of a grain of sand which is related to shrimp and lobster. The researchers want to find out how environmental changes have affected the ostracod’s evolution.

Joggins, located 40 minutes from Mount Allison, is the ideal location for this research. As you walk north along the beach at Joggins, Grey likes to explain, you go back in time 310 million years. The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to fossil bones of the earliest reptiles, evidence of creatures found nowhere else in the world, and the famous fossilized forests. Charles Darwin mentioned Joggins twice in his book On the Origin of Species. It is not uncommon to find fossils on the beach and according to Grey, children are particularly good at discovering them.

“The advantage of looking at the ostracod is that it is a survivor, a living fossil like the cockroach and the millipede that has been around for over 310 million years,” says Grey. “It is also ubiquitous, living anywhere it is damp.”

The researchers are looking at fossils preserved in limestone rocks found at Joggins. Finkel and Grey are examining the ostracods, while Pufahl is looking at the chemical composition of the rock to aid in identifying the temperature,oxygen levels, and salinity of the time period. They will eventually be able to identify evolutionary patterns over time with changing environmental conditions.

Joggins Fossil Institute (JFI)
JFI is a registered charity that manages the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. The JFI provides educational programming to visitors, including school/university field trips, and tour groups. JFI also actively supports researchers, and research on fossils from Joggins is still being carried out by leading scientists around the world after over 150 years of work and discovery at the site.

Five Islands Artist Donates Paintings to the Joggins Fossil Centre

2010-10-04T16:09:00.004-03:00

Gail Card is an upcoming artist who resides in Lower Five Islands but was raised in the River Hebert area. Her childhood dream was to paint the things in life that inspired her as an artist. Landscapes, seascapes, architecture, antique cars and more are portrayed in her art works. Paintings from photos or on location, as well as self-inspired works such as Christmas paintings, are completed by brush or with painting knives. She enjoys painting and is always happy to finish a new piece of art work. More paintings can be seen on Facebook groups she has created such as “Gail Card Artist My Paintings for viewing and sale” and “Nova Scotia Artist's Group”. If you’d like to contact Gail, she can be reached at 902-254-3690 or at gaillovesrainbows@hotmail.com

"Joggins Ocean Scene"

“The colours of the Bay of Fundy have always been interesting for me. It displays change and reminds me that, as in life, there are constant changes. This painting reflects the brown water with the bit of white wave which is so much a part of the coastal area. The inlets of water as the waves continue inshore and the dark colors of the shore itself makes for an interesting piece of art and pop out the ocean colour. This piece was done from a photo taken in the spring of 2010”.

"Joggins Interpretative Centre"

“This painting captures the distance and yard view on a cloudy Spring day in 2010. Inspiring colours portray the surrounding area and the Centre itself in an interesting combination. The history of time gone by that the Centre represents has always inspired me throughout my life. To be able to put the culture and heritage of the Joggins Fossil Centre in paint was like putting a bit of my own history and thoughts into this piece of art”.

United Nations Day is approaching

2010-09-29T16:35:00.007-03:00

Once again it is almost United Nations day. Be sure to come visit the centre on October 24th to celebrate with us. Everyone is welcome to join, free of charge. There will be complementary snacks and refreshments. The event runs from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Thanks to the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association we are pleased to announce that Tim Badman will be returning to Joggins to give a talk. Tim is currently working for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which is an advisory board to the United Nations. Between 2000-2006 he was the team leader of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site so he knows his stuff when it comes to Natural World Heritage.

Our Curator of Paleontology Melissa Grey, Ph.D and our Director, Jenna Boon will be presenting an overview of our 2010 operating season. Want to learn more about what goes into running a world heritage site for a year? Then this presenation is for you.

Westcumb Amateur Radio Club will be setting up shop and will be doing radio broadcasts with other UNESCO sites around the world.

See you here at the Centre!

Finalist for the Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award

2010-09-29T12:41:00.003-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute is a finalist for the Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award. This prestigious award is part of the National Awards for Tourism Excellence, Presented by The Toronto Star. The award is given to the finalist that best demonstrates through their operations that they protect and enhance Canada's natural and cultural heritage and are consistent with the surrounding community and environment.

The winners will be announced at the award ceremony in Gatineau, Quebec on November 2, 2010 as part of The Tourism Summit, TIAC’s annual national tourism policy conference. A member of the JFI team will be sent to represent the Institute.
Wish us luck. We are all very pleased and excited to be on the short list for this award. For further information check out our news release: http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/news/22/jogginsfossilcliffsnetnews2010sustainabletourismaward

ZeDay at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs

2010-09-22T13:20:00.003-03:00

Through carpooling, working from home, and walking to work, our staff saved about 28 L of gasoline yesterday as part of our participation in the ZeDay 24-hour moratorium on the combustion of fossil fuels. This means that we saved 64.4 kg of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. It feels great to give the planet a break for a day! Share your ZeDay experiences with us and the rest of the world!

ZeDay is Approaching!

2010-09-14T14:34:00.002-03:00

September 21st is ZeDay. ZeDay, or Zero Emissions Day, is a 24 hour global moratorium on the combustion of fossil fuels. Give the planet a break for a day by not burning gasoline, gas, oil, or coal and minimize or eliminate your use of electricity generated by fossil fuels. However, stay safe and keep the emergency services operating as normal. For more info about ZeDay, go to http://zeroemissionsday.org/index.htm

The Joggins Fossil Centre and Cliffs Receives Great Feedback from Visitors

2010-09-13T14:50:00.007-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank Mary Wiles and her friends from Victoria, British Columbia for their wonderful comments about the Joggins Fossil Centre.

Mary contacted us to say that after visiting Joggins, her visitors continued on to New York City where they visited a very popular and prominent museum. Mary’s friends indicated to her that they were more impressed by the exhibits and examples at the Joggins Fossil Centre compared to the museum in New York.

Thanks Mary and Friends for such positive feedback! It is great to reaffirm that the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly of Outstanding Universal Value.

Joggins Fossil Centre in World Architecture Magazine

2010-09-06T19:02:00.003-03:00

Great Article in August 2010 (Issue 242) World Architecture Magazine

Today Ron Burdock, the Lead Architect of WHW Architects for the design of the Joggins Fossil Centre, visited the Centre with his family. Ron brought along copies of the most recent issue of World Architecture Magazine.

This issue features an article on "Sustainable Architecture in Canada". Much to our delight, the Joggins Fossil Centre is included on two full pages in this world renowned magazine.

Once again - kudos to all the excellent individuals, organizations, governments and partners who helped to develop this World Class Centre!!

Joggins Fossil Institute Hosts the Zonta Club of Amherst & Area

2010-09-06T09:25:00.007-03:00

In late August the Joggins Fossil Institute hosted the Zonta Club of Amherst & Area for an experience that included an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, lunch at the Roundhouse Cafe and an interpretive tour of the Joggins Fossil Centre .

The Amherst & Area Club is affiliated with Zonta International, an organization dedicated to "advancing the status of women worldwide by improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at global and local levels through service and advocacy".

Following the experience at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Sheila Graham (Treasurer of the Amherst & Area Club) mailed a card to the Institute. Here is how it reads:

Hello Jogginites!

...[our Club had a] wonderful and enlightening tour of the museum and beach. Our group thanks all and in particular Jordan, Nicole and Afiqah. We all enjoyed the meal as well and thank the staff [of the Roundhouse Cafe] for it and for the good service....Thanks again. It is an amazing venue we have in our backyard!

For additional information about Zonta International see www.zonta.org.
If you are interested in the The Zonta Club of Amherst and Area contact Shirlee Hallee (President).

Windy Today - no damage from tropical storm (Earl)

2010-09-05T12:00:00.002-03:00

It is a windy day in Joggins, white caps on the bay and clear skies! Hearty Vegetable Soup is on the stove in the Roundhouse Cafe - something to warm you up after a trip to the Cliffs.

The Joggins Fossil Institute is open today and will have regular operating hours (unless we are hit by another storm) until the 31st of October.

We continue to offer scheduled tours (1/2 hour, 2 hour and 4 hour). Please phone ahead to book - 902.251.2727.

Update on Hurricane Earl

2010-09-03T15:04:00.001-03:00

Due to Hurricane Earl, we will be closed on Saturday, September 4th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Also due to Earl, we have cancelled our 2 hour guided Lyell Tour of the cliffs on Sunday, September 5th and our half-hour Logan Tours of the cliffs will be limited.

If you already have a tour booked, please call our bookings line beforehand (902-251-2727 ext 231) to confirm that the tour you wish to participate in is still running as scheduled.

Hurricane Earl Expected to Hit the Maritimes this Weekend

2010-09-01T11:43:00.002-03:00

We are expecting Hurricane Earl to make an unwelcome visit to our area this weekend. Strong wind and heavy rain is expected so if you are planning a visit, it is advised that you call our bookings line (902-251-2727 ext 231) beforehand to confirm that the tour you want to participate in is heading out at the scheduled time, especially if you have a booking already.

YMCA Youth Eco Internship Program at the Joggins Fossil Institute

2010-08-27T14:23:00.002-03:00

Nicole Marshall is a Bachelor of Science student studying Earth Sciences and Oceanography at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia). Nicole was employed at the Joggins Fossil Institute for 4 months through the YMCA Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP). The YMCA YEIP places unemployed youth aged 15 to 30 into paid internships with the non-profit and community services sector of Canada with a focus on the environment, community and women’s services. The YMCA YEIP is in collaboration between the YMCA and YWCA Canada, with funding provided by the government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Nicole was an Interpreter (Landscape), meaning she worked in the garden such as planting and weeding as well as her duties as interpreter. Nicole led half hour and two hour tours of the cliffs, as well as tours through the museum in French and English.
“The YMCA Youth Eco Internship Program at Joggins Fossil Institute in Joggins, Nova Scotia was a very enjoyable and educational learning experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity the YMCA Youth Eco Internship Program has given me. It provided me with hands on experiences to learn about geology and the fossil record. It also helped me learn and develop new skills such as being a leader in front of others and developing my public speaking skills. I am beyond impressed with the YMCA Youth Eco Internship Program and I hope the YMCA YEIP continues so students next year and beyond have similar, fantastic experiences.” - Nicole

Five Islands Artist Donates Paintings to the Joggins Fossil Centre

2010-08-19T13:28:00.003-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank Five Islands artist Gail Card for donating some of her wonderful paintings of our beach and Centre. Gail has donated her paintings in memory of family members. Gail is a self-taught artist who enjoys creating a variety of works such as architectural images, seascapes, and landscapes as well as antique cars and wildlife. If you’d like to see more of Gail’s artwork, please visit the link below. Keep up the good work, Gail!

http://www.facebook.com/gail.card?v=wall#!/photo.php?pid=31091659&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=182333275417&id=1303373093&fbid=1399518070321 .

Astronomical High Tides in Joggins

2010-08-13T15:55:00.003-03:00

We’ve had some very high tides this week in Joggins. This is because of the fact that the Moon is now in the phase of its orbit where it lies directly between the Earth and the Sun which produced the New Moon of August 10th. With the New Moon comes maximum tidal pull and this pull is intensified by the fact that the Moon is 50,000km closer to the Earth. Because of geological resistance, this process starts a day after the New Moon. Large tides can thus be expected on the 11th, 12th and 13th of August.

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs Celebrates Two Years of World Heritage

2010-07-05T13:50:00.010-03:00

Community
Corn Boil and Barbeque

7th July 2010
4:30pm to 7:00pm

_____________________________________________________

Join us at 5:30pm for a
Presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Kosters
"2.5 billion years in 7 days: rafting Grand Canyon, a geologic adventure"

And at 6:00pm for a
Presentation by Terri McCulloch
On the exciting bid to make the Bay of Fundy one of the
New 7 Wonders of Nature

Sunset Industries Supplies a Sustainable Storage Solution for the Joggins Fossil Institute

2010-07-05T11:26:00.008-03:00

At the Joggins Fossil Institute, we take great care in adhering to our environmentally-friendly purchasing policy. We research our products before purchasing to ensure that they are made from environmentally-friendly materials, manufactured in such a way that promotes a low carbon-footprint and produced locally when possible. When we were posed with a storage issue for all of our fun and educational games and activities, we looked outside the petroleum-based plastic box and towards Sunset Industries, a division of The Sunset Community, in Pugwash, Nova Scotia for a natural and sustainable solution which also supports an important cause in the community.

For those unfamiliar with Sunset Industries and The Sunset Community, here’s a brief introduction:

Mission:
“The Sunset Community is committed to working with adults who need access to twenty-four hour support to live with serious and persistent mental and physical challenges. We will provide safe and supportive living, learning and working environments so these individuals can live satisfying and meaningful lives”.

Vision:
“The Sunset Community will be a leader in removing barriers that prevent those who we work with from having access to choices, and the freedom to create personally satisfying and meaningful lives”.

“Sunset Industries is a vocational training centre operated by Sunset Residential and Rehabilitation Services Incorporated. Sunset Industries has enjoyed many years of continued growth. Our productivity has increased with skill development. We employ client workers from Sunset Residential and Rehabilitation Centre, Community Based Services program, and the community at large”.

“Individual Program Plans are developed, in consultations with other departments of life skills, social skills and work skills. These programs help the client workers realize their full potential”.

“Our policy is to maintain and enhance the dignity and self respect of the individual, develop their potential and teach acceptable work habits”.
The boxes shown here are made from 100% pine harvested locally from sustainable forests. They are treated with an environmentally-friendly water-based varathane for protection, preservation and to also give the boxes a nice shine. The Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank Sunset Industries and The Sunset Community for these wooden storage boxes. We are very proud to support The Sunset Community and their commitment to removing barriers so that the individuals they support can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

If you would like to get involved with The Sunset Community or would like to learn more about the organization, you can contact them at:

The Sunset Community
140 Sunset Lane
Pugwash, NS B0K 1L0.
Tel: 902-243-2664
Fax: 902-243-3222

Joggins Fossil Cliffs Teams up with Nova Scotia Museums to present at the IPC

2010-06-23T11:49:00.005-03:00

Dr Melissa Grey, Curator of Palaeontology is heading off to London this weekend to attend the 3rd International Palaeontological Congress.

Melissa has worked with Deborah Skilliter of the Natural History Museum, Halifax to present the abstract on the procedures and policies of collections management here at Joggins.

s5 - COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT AT THE JOGGINS FOSSIL CLIFFS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE: A NEW MODEL?
Grey, Melissa1 and Skilliter, Deborah M.2

1Joggins Fossil Institute, Joggins, NS, Canada B0L 1A0

2Nova Scotia Museum (Museum of Natural History), Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 3A6
e-mail: sci-edu@jogginsfossilcliffs.net

The Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Nova Scotia, Canada) contains an unrivalled fossil record, preserved in its environmental context, which represents the finest examples in the world of Carboniferous terrestrial tropical ecosystems.

The Joggins Fossil Institute (JFI) is a non-profit, charitable, community-based organisation which was created to aid in the promotion, conservation, and sustainable development of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. All fossils in Nova Scotia legally belong to the province and collecting is only allowed with a Heritage Research Permit. JFI works in partnership with the Nova Scotia Museum (NSM, Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage) to manage the most comprehensive collection of Carboniferous fossils that is housed at the award-winning interpretive and research centre in Joggins.

JFI houses a collection of Joggins fossils that is on loan from the province. JFI and the province share curatorial responsibilities for the collection and training of new staff on curatorial practices and care and handling of the collection. The province has provided a specialized, sitespecific database that allows JFI staff to catalogue new material as it is collected and share these records with a central server. NSM, in partnership with JFI, has also developed an on-line searchable database of the collection housed at the Institute.

This style of collection management is a new model that allows for shared responsibility and best-practices for curation between institutions. Our institutional relationship represents a critical step in achieving JFI‘s goal of having a co-managed site with the provincial government.

Annual Community Cleanup

2010-06-17T12:51:00.012-03:00

Friday, June 11th was a hot and sunny day...the perfect weather for our annual community cleanup! Instead of cleaning around the Joggins area, as we did last year, we decided to focus our attention on the River Hebert area. We had five staff members from the Joggins Fossil Centre team up with 5 classes from the River Hebert Elementary School. Equipped with rubber gloves and garbage bags supplied by the Joggins Fossil Institute, the groups picked up garbage from the bottom of Beach Hill to the bridge, up and around Pit Road, and all the side streets along the way.

After the groups arrived back at the school, brown bag lunches prepared by the Joggins Fossil Institute were handed out to the students and to anyone who helped in the cleanup effort. Mr. Berry volunteered to collect and dispose of the 32 bags of garbage, which consisted mostly of coffee cups and cigarette cartons, from the side of the road that were produced by the cleanup.

The Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank Mr. Brian Carter of the River Hebert Highway Garage for setting up orange flags and road signs indicating to motorists that a community cleanup was in progress. Brian also supplied orange vests for the event. We would also like to say thanks to Mr. Berry for collecting and disposing of the garbage. Everyone involved had a great time and the Joggins Fossil Institute would like to thank all the students from the River Hebert Elementary School who participated in this important event aimed at making our community a cleaner place to live.

So far, we’ve been able to make Joggins and River Hebert cleaner communities through our annual cleanup efforts. Where should we focus our community cleanup next year?

Time and Tide

2010-06-11T17:14:00.002-03:00

Due to the awesome forces of the New Moon (the Moon phase, not the movie) the tides are approaching their very highest here in Joggins. Fear not, we are still offering guided tours of the cliffs, although some modification has had to be made in order to ensure everyone remains safe.

The Lyell tour scheduled for 2pm Saturday June 12th is now bumped up to 3pm. We are also going to substitute one hour on the beach for a one hour guided tour of our gallery. So you will recieve a detailed tour of our gallery and then off to the beach to see what the cliffs are all about.

The Lyell tour scheduled for 3pm Sunday June 13th is now a Logan tour. We are offering several Logan tours that day so feel free to stop by get an excellent introduction to the cliffs.

If you have any questions please contact us at (902) 251-2727.

Father's Day Event Details

2010-06-10T13:47:00.012-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute is planning a great event to celebrate fathers everywhere. Join us between 12 and 4pm on Sunday, June 20th and help us celebrate this special day. Festivities include:

LOBSTER BOIL AND SAUSAGE BBQ
Only $8.50/lb for cooked lobster
Sausages are $2.50 each

WASHER TOSS TOURNAMENT

Get your team together and show us your skills.
The winning team will receive a prize from the Gift Shop

GUIDED BEACH TOUR

Join us for a guided tour along the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. This will be a free event for fathers and half price for other participants. Tours are scheduled to depart from the Centre at 2pm and 3pm.

For more information, please contact the Joggins Fossil Institute at 902-251-2727 ext 225

How are our junior gardeners making out?

2010-05-27T14:21:00.004-03:00

You may remember that on Earth Day we were visited by the children of River Hebert Elementary School.

The students came to the centre to learn about growing their own food, learn about composting and to make a recycled pop bottle greenhouse, to plant a pumpkin seed, which they were to take home, and hopefully bring back their pumpkin on Halloween and enter it into our pumpkin competition.

We were wondering how the pumpkins were faring. It seems that some pumpkins haven't fared too well, whilst others are growing slow and steady. The students are enjoying taking care of their baby plants and it seems there is a real atmosphere of competition building up!

So, here is an insider secret we can share with the children on growing great pumpkins:

The Sugar Water Method
Wait until a pumpkin develops, and has grown to be about 6 inches across.
Fill a bowl with 50 percent water and 50 percent white granulated sugar. If you want to use milk instead of water, this will work well too. Dunk your cotton string into this mixture.
Make a small slit with your knife in the base of the pumpkin's stem, about 4 inches above the pumpkin. Insert one end of your cotton string into the slit, and keep the other end in your sugar water mixture. The pumpkin will slowly suck up the sugar mixture, helping it grow bigger.

(Image: Bayden shows off his recycled pop bottle greenhouse)

Calling all local people with green fingers!

2010-05-26T15:00:00.003-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute is in the process of planning its garden and we are looking for green-fingered volunteers to help us to tend it.

We are constructing raised beds, using our own excellent compost, generated from the cafe scraps, and will be growing a range of vegetables and soft fruits to augment the produce we have in the cafe and to help us to serve fresh, delicious food.

If you have a few spare hours a week and would like to help us, would like to share your expertise, or to donate vegetable or fruit plants if you have a glut of them, then please email operations@jogginsfossilcliffs.net we would love to hear from you.

We are also considering establishing a cooperative for fruit and vegetables, so that we can exchange produce with local growers, to vary what we have and to share fresh, locally grown food.

Watch this space.

Four hectic days in the lives of the new Joggins Fossil Cliffs Employees

2010-05-12T11:32:00.005-03:00

Who we are:

Hi, I’m Rachel, I hail from Amherst NS.

I am the new Visitor Services Assistant, and you will see my face as soon as you walk in the front doors, hopefully with a smile and a greeting. I do a bit of everything (as does everyone else) with the exception of giving tours, I’m not quite there yet.

You will see me down on the beach from time to time advising you of tide times.

Hi. My name is Afiqah and I am from Malaysia.

Being able to work in Joggins is like a dream come true for a Geologist like me. My position as an interpreter requires me to lead tours and work in the Exhibition Gallery most of the time.

I love talking, sharing and inspiring other people on the exciting new discoveries of fossils here in Joggins. I am very excited by my position and I hope to learn as much as I can here.

Come and visit Joggins and I promise that you will have a great time!

We also have a fellow new co-worker Nicole who hails from Halifax, who has completed her first year in Geology at Dalhousie; Nicole is bilingual in French and English and will be giving tours in both languages this summer. We know that Nicole is also very excited to be working here with us for the summer.

Now here’s a little taste of what our First week at the Joggins Fossil Institute looked like:

Day One:
We were introduced to the staff, each other and the Institute. We discovered the reasons behind why The Fossil Cliffs became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had a tour of the award-winning Joggins Fossil Centre and learned about the green features of the building. We were also introduced to the Cliffs in a half hour tour.

Day Two:
After an interesting drive down to the Lower Cove beach, we started on a four hour tour led by the Curator Melissa, and our fellow experienced interpreters, Matt, Cat, Tammy and Elizabeth. We learned how to give a tour and how to identify fossils lying on the beach and up in the cliffs. We also learned the safety measures and precautions needed when walking near the cliffs and on the beach. After our tour and a brief lunch we were introduced to the Director, Jenna, who gave an in-depth discussion on UNESCO and World Heritage.

Day Three:
After a long day on the beach on day 2, our morning was spent with Melissa, learning why the fossils are so significant and about the Carboniferous Period. Before lunch we went out in our teams and learned how to give an engaging half-hour tour.
Later on that day we were trained in the role of an interpreter and what interpretation means. We got to do a team building exercise with Melanie, Operations Coordinator which looked at presenting facts, fiction or legends about certain stories and folklore and how to make information, whatever the subject interesting for different groups.

Day Four:
We had the ‘Give ‘Em the Pickle’ customer service presentation by Anna-Marie Weir, which was both fun and informative. So from now on, if you ask us for a pickle we’ll give you one!

We are all very excited for what the summer holds for us in our new positions and we hope that you will come down to meet us, we’d love to meet you all!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T14:09:00.004-03:00

We have had a fantastic day here at the Joggins Fossil Centre and want to thank everyone who turned out for our special event.

Our Mother's Day Brunch was a huge success, though not many folk opted for the beach walk after all of that delicious food!

Don't forget that we have a stunning exhibition of hooked rugs here at the centre for the next month, which depict children's interpretation of tales from Acadian folklore. It is a truly unique exhibition of 24 rugs by Les Hookeuses au Bor'de'lo and will run through until the first weekend in June.

To visit the exhibition is free, but of course donations are always welcomed.

Community Forests International plan tree planting at Joggins on 23rd May

2010-05-06T16:03:00.003-03:00

Community Forests International’s mission is: “To foster environmental stewardship internationally by establishing community forests, promoting sustainable forestry techniques and initiating environmental education.” The Joggins Fossil Institute is pleased to announce that the Institute has been approached by CFI, who wanted to work with them to plant indigenous trees on the site of the old Roundhouse, to aid in brownfield remediation.

Community Forests International is a volunteer-driven organization, working to connect people and their communities to the forests that sustain them. As the pace of environmental degradation intensifies around the world, the need for positive environmental stewardship and a restored balance between humanity and nature has become a necessity.

Community Forests International was formed when a group of fishermen in Pemba, Tanzania felt the need to alleviate pressure on the marine environment. Looking to provide food and timber sustainably, hundreds of Pembans began planting trees on unused tracts of land in a process of ecological restoration. Today, with support from the international forest community, Pembans plant over 100,000 trees annually for the provision of fruit, nuts, timber and increased habitat while improving the condition of their natural environment.

Building on the belief that a few strong-willed individuals can motivate for positive environmental change, Community Forests International currently supports over 12 communities in Pemba, Tanzania while initiating forest and climate change education around the world.

Jeff Schnurr will be visiting Joggins on the 23rd May with a small group of volunteers to plant 2000 trees of a range of species on the site. Jeff has travelled in over 35 countries before landing in Tanzania, where he began the tree planting initiative that grew into Community Forests International. Comfortable speaking English, Spanish or Ki’swahili, Jeff has done much to spread the techniques of forest renewal around the globe and has planted over half a million trees in the process!

If you would like to volunteer and work alongside Jeff and his team, please come along on the 23rd to the Joggins Fossil Centre.

"Give 'Em the Pickle!"

2010-04-27T15:30:00.003-03:00

Join the team at the Joggins Fossil Centre for an exclusive Customer Care training event called

"Give ‘Em the Pickle!”
Presented by Anna-Marie Weir, TCP, TCS

Hospitality & Tourism Training Consultant

6th May 2010 9:00am to 1:00pm

Customers today expect excellent service.

How do you offer great customer service, that goes beyond expectations?

This event will help you and your staff identify the little extras that can make a guest’s visit more special, create memories and encourage them to return time and time again.

The cost is only $50.00 per person, including morning refreshments

Places are limited, so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

Please call 902-251-2727 to speak with Jordan and reserve your places.

Mother's Day Event Details

2010-04-26T15:48:00.003-03:00

We are planning a great event to celebrate mothers everywhere.

Join the Joggins Fossil Institute in celebrating this special day, including-

DIRECTOR’S BRUNCH
sittings at 10:00am and 11:00am

Eggs Benedict & Fresh Fruit Medley
Just Us! freshly ground Rise Again Coffee or Tea
Orange Juice

EXHIBITION OF HOOKED RUGS
Featuring tales from Acadian folklore
by les hookeuses du bor’delo

SPRINGTIME GUIDED WALK
A gentle walk along the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site

20% DISCOUNT IN THE GIFT SHOP

$15.00 per person and only $7.50 for mothers!

Please call 902-251-2727 to book your table

Happy Earth Day everyone!

2010-04-22T11:31:00.002-03:00

The children from River Hebert Elementary School P-3 have been having a great time planting their special pumpkin seeds in their recycled plastic pop bottle greenhouses and we are looking forward to showing grades 4-6 how compost is made, how to care for their pumpkin seeds and our new exhibitions later on this afternoon.

We are open until 4:30pm today and re-open at 6:30 for the evening, so don't forget to come down for our guest speaker, Rowena Hopkins, author of Canadian food roots weblog and expert in the areas of organic and sustainable farming. Rowena is a collaborator with the Rural Women Making Change research alliance, working towards creating a sustainable and healthy agricultural experience in Canada. Rowena's presentation will take place at 7:00pm.

We will be serving free coffee, tea and Joyce's delicious double chocolate home-baked cookies!

The Joggins Fossil Centre has won an International Environmental Award!

2010-04-20T14:32:00.003-03:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute (JFI), the registered charity which manages the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pleased to announce that the Joggins Fossil Centre has won an International Green Apple Built Environment Award.

These prestigious awards are presented by the Green Organisation, a UK-based non-profit organisation, in partnership with the British Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, The Environment Agency, The Chartered Institute of Wastes Management and the Municipal Journal.

The Joggins Fossil Centre, designed by WhW Architects of Halifax, and the winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Architecture in 2007 has now been selected to receive this prestigious international prize as a result of the hard work, which was undertaken to minimise the impacts of the new centre on the environment. Melanie Cookson-Carter, Operations Coordinator, will be collecting the award at the ceremony, due to be held on 14th June at the Tower on London, England. The ceremony will be shown on Green TV and the JFI will find out on the evening if they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze.

Melanie says of the award, “We are really pleased to have been selected to receive an award by the Green Organisation. The nomination process was fairly robust and we had to provide in-depth information on the project and centre development including; impacts on the environment, social and financial benefit, visual impact and construction waste minimisation, amongst others.”

Sneak Peek at our new display...

2010-04-14T14:15:00.003-03:00

Guess where this new display can be found?

Here's a clue - It's not on the ground!

You will have to wait until Earth Day, 22nd April, when we open for the season to find out.

Wow, we seriously recommend this link

2010-04-10T15:57:00.007-03:00

We just love this amazing video entitled Elyxium by Paul Baraka and thank the team who filmed this spectacular showcase of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site and accompanied it with such a haunting score by Baraka.

We would love to link this video to our website and are looking into this to give it the recognition it deserves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8uabuJBho0

Earth Day Program

2010-04-09T14:39:00.006-03:00

Earth Day 2010 Program

at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site

The centre will be open all day 9:30am to 4:30pm

Free Admission and Refreshments

New Biodiversity Exhibition“Have you thanked a plant today?”

Children - Bring along a plastic pop bottle to make your own recycled pop bottle greenhouse and plant a pumpkin for our pumpkin growing competition

See the first plans for our Natural Playground ___________________________________________________

Community Evening 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Free Admission and Refreshments

Guest speaker 7:00pm

Rowena Hopkins

Author of Canadian Food Roots weblog and expert in the areas of organic and sustainable agriculture, Rowena is a collaborator with the Rural Women Making Change research alliance, working towards creating a sustainable and healthy agricultural experience in Canada.

Her story is truly inspirational.

Come along to get your Keeper of the Cliffs season pass authorised for 2010

Plans develop for Earth Day opening

2010-03-29T09:45:00.002-03:00

We are planning a bumper program of events for the 2010 season and kicking things off with our opening on Earth Day, 22nd April.

Come down to the award-winning Joggins Fossil Centre where there will be free admission, talks and some great activities for children to get them thinking about the planet in celebration of Countdown 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.

We are hoping to be able to unveil the plans for our amazing new playground and have a small travelling exhibition entitled "Have you thanked a plant today?"

Watch this space for more information...

Excellent Article on Times & Transcript about the Bay of Fundy New7Wonders

2010-03-15T13:43:00.004-03:00

Right Whale; one of the most popular seasonal visitors to the Bay of Fundy

Here's a link to an excellent article about the Bay of Fundy's bid to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The article features our very own Melissa Grey talking about Joggins and very topically for the International Year of Biodiversity, discusses the biodiversity of the Bay.

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/lifetimes/article/984580

The World Heritage Experience - A new package for the 2010 season

2010-03-12T16:06:00.009-04:00

The World Heritage Experience

For our more adventurous visitors who want to immerse themselves in a full Joggins Fossil Cliffs, UNESCO World Heritage Site experience

Experience Package includes seven to eight hours at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs over one or two days.

Behind the scenes tour of the award winning Joggins Fossil Centre, including our “Green Features Tour” and Collections Room with senior management

Private Tour of the Joggins Fossil Exhibition Gallery

Private Tour of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site with our Curator of Palaeontology with an opportunity for hands-on fossil discovery

Gourmet taste of Nova Scotia lunch or picnic lunch.
A signed copy of the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Dossier (one per person)

A bottle of Jost Joggins Fossil Cliffs Wine to take home (one per person choice of white or red)

only $ 125.00 (per person Adults/Seniors only)

Small print:
All “Experience” packages must be booked in advance. Please call 902-251-2727 to book. All prices are plus HST at 13%. Please mention where you saw this package advertised. Guided tours are subject to suitable weather conditions. The Joggins Fossil Institute retains the right to postpone guided tours if it is deemed that the weather and tidal conditions are unfavourable on the day. An alternative date will be offered. Accommodation and transportation not included.

New Playground to be the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada

2010-03-10T13:32:00.004-04:00

The Joggins Fossil Institute has contracted Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds to design and install a new play space at the award-winning Joggins Fossil Centre in 2010.

Bienenstock are world leaders in playground design. According to them:

"As more and more studies are being released it is becoming very apparent that the children in nature movement is sweeping the world by storm. These studies are proving that early childhood development can be facilitated with the use of these playgrounds. These studies are proving that a typical play structure is not enough, will not improve all areas of development essential for happy healthy kids."

What is a Natural Playground?
"Playscapes are Natural Playgrounds. They are designed with the intent to bring children back to nature using: fallen logs, tree stumps for seating, vertical logs for forts, slides embedded in the side of hills etc... Playscapes and Natural Playgrounds offer a wide range of open ended play options for children while remaining safe."
Who are Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds?
Adam Bienenstock , C.E.O and Principal Designer began his career in landscaping in 1984. Currently, he is a director of the Child & Nature Alliance. In 2003, he reinvented Gardens for Living Inc. and launched Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. To do so, he combined best practices in management and his passion for child development, art, nature and design.

The addition of a manufacturing capacity was quickly added when it became clear that no-one in Canada could efficiently produce the components he needed for their natural playgrounds.

The Joggins Fossil Institute is proud to be able to work alongside Adam and his team and to bring a unique play space to Joggins, which will enable local children to play alongside other children from around the world.

Melanie Cookson-Carter, Operations Coordinator said "The playground in Joggins has been unusable for some time. The children of Joggins have no where to enjoy safe, imaginative and fun outdoor play and we are pleased to be able to enter into a design process with Bienenstock for something fitting for this unique location. Off the peg wasn't going to work for us, we wanted something special and Adam and his team are able to deliver that for us."

The JFI is hoping that construction of the play space, the only one of its kind in the Maritimes, will be completed this year, thanks to funding assistance from the Province of Nova Scotia, Home Depot and CREDA.

If your company is interested in making a charitable donation to this unique Play Space project please contact Melanie Cookson-Carter at operations@jogginsfossilcliffs.net

Employment Promotion

2010-03-10T11:43:00.002-04:00

Deadline extended for Job Applications

2010-03-08T14:32:00.002-04:00

Don't panic, because of funding notifications we have decided to extend the closing date for all 2010 seasonal job vacancies until 19th March at 4:00pm.

If you, or someone you know is looking for an interesting and challenging role, all vacancies can be found at http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/institute/jobs/

These include:
Chief Interpreter
Chief Cook
General Cook
General Interpreters
Interpreters (Education & Outreach, Landscape)
Environmental Technology Assistant (Coop)
and more.

If you would like to discuss any of the positions, please call 902-251-2727 and ask to speak to either Melanie or Melissa.