Some 32 years ago, park paleontologist Bryan Small discovered remains of a brand new dinosaur to science at Petrified Forest National Park. Chindesaurus bryansmalli was a small carnivore, billed at the time as the oldest dinosaur ever found on the planet. Word of this discovery made international news. When “Gertie” (the nickname the fossil became known as) was airlifted out of the park’s wilderness on June 6, 1985, it was an international media event.
Help celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Gertie’s flight by watching films, looking at real fossils, experimenting with the fossilization processes, taking home a fossil cast, coloring Gertie and experiencing a new interactive exhibit regarding evolutionary origins of early dinosaurs.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, at the Community Building adjacent to the Painted Desert Visitor Center (take exit 311 off of Interstate 40).
The schedule includes:
* 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., the film Whopping Small Dinosaur.
* 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., table activities.
* 11:30 a.m., a talk, Triassic Dinosaur Imposters.
Noon and 1:30 p.m., the film Dinosaurs Alive.
* 1 p.m., a talk, Early Dinosaur Evolution on the Colorado Plateau.
Use the hashtag #PEFODinosaurDay if you visit and check in with social media.
Visit www.nps.gov/pefo or the park’s official Facebook page for more information.
