Received DC Office August 16/17 MEDIA RELEASE 16 August 2017 CELEBRATING TUMBLER RIDGE S INITIAL DINOSAUR TRACKWAY DISCOVERY Dr Charles Helm, Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation On July 30, 2000 Mark Turner (11) and Daniel Helm (8) were tubing down rapids in Flatbed Creek near Tumbler Ridge, when they hit a rock and Mark fell off. He managed to swim to shore and pull Daniel to safety. Keen to try tubing the rapids again, they were walking back up the bedrock when they saw a series of six depressions in the rock. In words that have subsequently become immortalized, Mark wondered aloud: Could those be? Dinosaur tracks? suggested Daniel, almost unable to believe what he was seeing. They lifted a loose rock at one end of the series of depressions, and found two more depressions. They had no doubt about what they had discovered, and took measurements and photographs. They contacted Dr. Phil Currie, who suggested they contact Canada s dinosaur footprint expert Richard McCrea, then a doctoral candidate at the University of Alberta. This discovery ultimately helped to change the course of Tumbler Ridge and the Peace Region. Mr. Thomas Clark, Tumbler Ridge historian and a Director on the Board of the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation (TRMF), explains: The 2000 dinosaur footprint discovery along the banks of Flatbed Creek is a pivotal moment in the young history of Tumbler Ridge. This discovery could be considered the catalyst which brought tourism to what was a one-industry coal-town. Without this widespread attention Tumbler Ridge would not have attracted as many people with a passion to explore and sustainably develop the wilderness and share it with the outside world. The subsequent events have undeniably contributed to the diversifying of the local economy, bringing thousands of visitors and permanent residents to town, each with their own dreams of discovery. Without this zeal for adventure and willingness to share one s discoveries, Tumbler Ridge would have followed the path of so many other single industry towns in the North that closed and became a mining camp when the mines later returned. For this I am grateful to my predecessors who have inspired me to follow in their footsteps and to build on what they began. For Mr. Clark, this pivotal moment had to be celebrated and cherished, so through the TRMF he proposed a commemorative interpretive sign. A viewpoint area was cleared across the creek from the site (the tracks have become faded over time and are now hard to see), volunteer Mr. John Hoult built a special bench, and a 4 ft x 3 ft sign was designed. On August 6 th the sign and bench were installed by TRMF volunteers, August 24, 2017
scientists and staff. The sign follows the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark (TRUGG) template and includes early photos from 2000 and 2001. Mr. Mark Turner is now 28 and lives in Port Alberni. He commented: I feel privileged to have been part of something where friendship, curiosity, and hope changed the course of Tumbler Ridge from such humble beginnings. I have a feeling that this is still just the beginning". Mr. Daniel Helm is now 25 and lives in Smithers. He commented: Looking back, it seems improbable that an innocent childhood day would eventually lead to what is happening today. The accomplishments of the museum would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the amazing volunteers that saw the potential of Tumbler Ridge s rich palaeontological heritage and decided to preserve and share it. It has been an amazing journey and I feel very fortunate to have played even a small role. Partnering with the TRMF was the Wolverine Nordic & Mountain Society, who provided the necessary funding and worked on improvements to the access trail. The viewpoint area is just fifty metres downstream from the well-known Cabin Pool dinosaur track site. It therefore provides an extra attraction, connecting visitors with the historic event that led to palaeontologists Dr. Richard McCrea and Dr. Lisa Buckley to move to Tumbler Ridge, the creation of the Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre, and eventually the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark. Celebrating such moments and stories is of great importance for Global Geoparks, and it is hoped that this interpretation of local history will aid the TRUGG in the 2018 UNESCO re-evaluation process. For further information contact: Thomas Clark thomas@pris.ca 250 242 4496 or 250 719 5047 Mark Turner mturnermtg@gmail.com 250 724 9776 Daniel Helm danielhelm.kz@gmail.com 250 917 9722-30- August 24, 2017