The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre is very proud to announce the arrival at the museum of a Triceratops fossil specimen from Montana, United States.

The specimen is being worked on in the CFDC laboratory by Joseph Hatcher, a paleontologist for PaleoWorld, which is a US based fossil research foundation. Mr Hatcher said, ‘It is such a great pleasure to be working here in Morden, the home of the biggest collection of marine reptile fossils in Canada. We are excited about this international collaboration, and look forward to sharing the dinosaurs of Montana with the residents of friendly Manitoba.’

The project is a result of the new joint venture between CFDC and PaleoWorld, whereby PaleoWorld brings dinosaur specimens collected in the US for lab preparation and conservation work to be carried out at the CFDC in Canada.

Anita Janzic, the CFDC curator said, ‘we are so excited to see a new dynamic added to our museum. The CFDC fossil collection is composed primarily of marine reptile fossils collected here on the Manitoba Escarpment. Triceratops is a dinosaur collected from a terrestrial environment.’

The CFDC has other international joint ventures planned in the future and some more announcements will be made soon.

Dave Wilkinson, the CFDC Executive Director said, ‘When the Triceratops fossil has been fully prepared we hope to show it to the public at CFDC as a visiting exhibit so watch this space!’

The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, Manitoba is proud to announce the opening of a new exhibit the 'Mosasur Death Scene' which is inspired by a dramatic piece of paleo art by the renowned natural history artist, Karen Carr. The exhibit features an undersea scene in the cretaceous period of pre history where a mosasaur is being attacked by a group of sharks. The seas in the crtaceous period are reputed to have been the most dangerous of all time.

The sea bed has been recreated for this exhibit and the result of the attack on the mosasur is reconstructed by a series of real fossils strategically placed, with the stunning picture as a back drop.

His Worship the Mayor of Morden, Doug Wilson and other dignitaries will be in attendance at 3pm on Wednesday October 3rd 2007 for the grand opening'

The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden has been designated with 'Star Attraction' status by Travel Manitoba. This is the highest designation for a tourist attraction in Manitoba and is given in recognition of the quality and importance of the unique marine reptile fossil collection in the CFDC which was collected entirely from the nearby Manitoba Escarpment just north west of the Town of Morden.

The Executive Director, Dave Wilkinson, said, "I am very proud that CFDC has acheived this status from a Provoncial Department - Travel Manitoba - and I feel that it is in recognition of what we have acheived here and it gives us the impetus and confidence for even more improvements. Let us hope that this brings us increased numbers of visitors this year, especially now we have our own land with extensive programs for public paleo and fossil dig tours".

There are signs on highway 3 and 2nd Street in Morden and other signs further out on highway 75, with others being planned. The objective is to guide tourists and visitors more smoothly to their destination in Manitoba.'

Remaining days:
Day Camp: August 24th (9 more spots)

For 5-8 year olds, we have Dino Day Camp; one day programs on the days above. We are planning to rotate activities, so children registered for one day, may not do the same things as children registered another day. The main focus of the program is always the same however:

• Educational Activities
• Arts & Crafts
• Games
• "Recess" when the kids can take a break and have a snack
• Lunch
• Mini-Dig Kit to take home

Registration fee is $25.00 per day, per child, and includes lunch from McDonalds, and a snack and drink later in the afternoon. The lunch order form is on the back of the registration form. The snack is fruit chews in dinosaur shapes and a juice box. Children should wear clothing that can get dirty - because we could get very dirty either outside exploring and playing dino-games, or during arts & crafts.

Registration closes August 19th.

Dig Days: August 18th (5 more spots)
            August 30th (6 more spots)

For 8-12 year olds (we may accept registrations for older children as well, depending on registration numbers) we have Dig Days. These are weather dependant, as the trip to the dig site may have to be cancelled due to rain. There will be activities in the museum for that eventuality, if it arises.

Dig Days are day programs similar to Day Camp, only the afternoon is spent in the field (weather depending) at a real dig site. Kids should definitely wear clothing that can get dirty, because in this program they definitely will!

• Learning activities
• Arts & Crafts
• Games
• "Recess" for kids to have a break and snack
• Field Trip to dig site

Snack is fruit chews in dinosaur shapes, and a juice box.

Registration closes August 16th (for the 18th), and August 28th (for the 30th).

To register, drop by the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre and fill out a registration form, or call the Centre at 822-3406 and we'll do it over the phone. Payments by cheque should be made out to Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. If not registering in person, please bring payment with you the morning of the program. Thank you!

Directors of the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre announced today that their search for the Centre's Executive Director position is over. Local Mordenite, Dave Wilkinson, who has acted as a consultant to the Centre in the past, has accepted the position. Having had direct experience with Wilkinson's capabilities has the Board feeling very confident that they have hired the right person to help catapult the Centre through the next levels of growth. Wilkinson's credentials include a Masters degree in Strategic Management from the University of Central England.

Long time Board member, Joe Brown supported the hiring saying "I believe he will be a great addition to the Discovery Centre". The committee in charge of the hiring also said that they had "recommended without reservation" that the position be offered to Wilkinson.

Seen as a crucial aspect in the development of the Centre as a major tourist attraction and learning centre, the position will include the development of long term funding from both private and government sources.

Referring to the Centre as "an uncut diamond", Wilkinson said that each facet of the Centre must be carefully examined and developed into its full potential as part of a world-class institution. Wilkinson assumed his duties at the Centre on Tuesday, August 9th. He can be reached by phone at 822-3406 or by e-mailing director@discoverfossils.com

Sally the Stegosaurus has been murdered! She was found lifeless in Morden's very own Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre with odd footprints surrounding her body. This leaves only one question, who killed Sally the Stegosaurus? On August 6, join the high action packed CSI: Cretaceous team in solving this mystery! Get your Sherlock Holmes hat on because you will unveil clues hidden throughout the museum, that will lead you closer and closer to the culprit. We have several suspects but the detective that brings forward the right criminal to justice will be rewarded with a grand prize! Also, come down to enter contests and find answers to more mysteries like how to find fossils, differences between fossils and rocks, and many more! Furthermore, you can bring down any suspicious rock that could potentially be a fossil for examination by our exclusive paleontologist. All of this brain tickling fun from 1 pm - 5 pm on August 6th for regular museum admission. Event spokesperson, Kodley Bouchanthala would like to invite the public to come out and help to bring the criminal to justice. Curator, Anita Janzic commented that the summer students including Kodley and also, Evan, Pete, and Jodi at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre have been responsible for planning this special event for the public. "They are very energetic and tons of fun so be sure to come out and join them in their search for the culprit." She went on to remind the public to visit the Centre for any or all of the additional ongoing summer programs which include tours of the Centre, dino day camps, dig days, paleo school or a fossil dig (Paleo tour).

The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden announced today that it's newly developed website is now in operation.

The public is invited to visit the site at www.discoverfossils.com to experience the redesigned site.

Directors of the CFDC felt that it was time that the Centre's website address was changed from the old www.mordenmuseum.com to a new name that reflected the Centre's new name and focus. At the same time, the site was redesigned with a new look and improved functionalities that will make for easier navigation and a pleasing visual experience for visitors. Visitors to the old site will be redirected to the new site and informed of the new web address. Included among the new features are many of the highlights found on the former site and which include a virtual tour as well as the Ancient Seas of Manitoba pages. These pages were designed and built by Morden Collegiate Institute students under the direction of teacher Elaine Spearman in conjunction with the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. The projects were funded by Canadian Digital Collections to preserve Canada's Heritage. The projects have been the recipients of numerous awards and recognition and are being used as a teaching resource for studies ranging from kindergarten to post-secondary levels by schools around the world.

The Centre is looking forward to announcing several other exciting new developments later this year.