Monday, March 29, 2010

Plans develop for Earth Day opening

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...

Monday, March 15, 2010

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


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.

Friday, March 12, 2010

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








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.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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

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


Monday, March 8, 2010

Deadline extended for Job Applications

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.