Specimen selection and renovations are currently underway for the opening of a new introductory exhibit called “Foundations” in the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s entrance gallery space for a grand opening on Friday, May 20.  

Foundations aims to be an introduction to both the museum itself but to also prime visitors to by laying a foundation for the key themes and principles which inform the science and ethos of paleontology at the Tyrrell, in the hopes of enhancing visitor understanding and interpretation of what they’ll see throughout the rest of the museum. 

Head of Marketing and Public Relations Carrie-Anne Lunde said Foundations was developed after a gap was identified in the introductory information to what paleontology is and what fossils are and how scientists even know. 

“It’s designed as a more dynamic space to explore those more basic terms, using all kinds of tactile and engaging materials in order to do so,” Lunde said. It’s purpose is to “literally lay the foundations of what paleontology is, and introduce individuals to paleontology and evolution and the history of life on earth in a way that is as holistic as possible.”

Museum curator and Foundations committee member Craig Scott said the exhibit will introduce visitors to earth processes like tectonics, volcanoes, mountain building, erosion, deposition, with an Alberta-centric focus, as well the biological processes of evolution, speciation, and changes in time. 

“One thing that is really cool about this gallery is that it is very specimen heavy – primarily specimens from the Cretaceous period of Alberta to illustrate the concepts being talked about,” said Scott.

Scott said the exhibit will be interactive and utilize innovative new techniques that the museum has never tried before and was unwilling to reveal before the opening on May 20. 

Foundations is the second phase of a three year introductory area renovation, the first being the opening of “Fossils and Focus” last year. Foundations will replace the “Alberta Unearthed” exhibit which was created in 2008.

The MS Walk, one of Drumheller’s most supported charity events, will be held again on Sunday, May 1 but organizers say this year’s registration numbers are down from previous years.

“It’s a trend we are seeing amongst all the walks,” said MS Walk coordinator Calan Edgar. “Registration numbers are down not just in Drumheller but all throughout Alberta.”

As of Monday 55 walkers and 15 teams are registered in Drumheller’s event, with donations sitting at $4,500 with a goal of $61,500. Last year’s event saw 200 people participating and raised over $60,000. The current top online teams are Frank Laslo’s team ($1,525), Stand By Me ($1,384), and the Johnston’s ($345).

“We understand we’re in difficult times with the economy and some people are a bit apprehensive about asking for donations, but we are trying to remind our participants that there’s no registration fee or minimal amount required to fundraise,” said Edgar. “So even if you come out and walk with us it is still giving us a lot of support in bringing our community together. The walks in Drumheller have blown us away with community support, so we want to recreate that atmosphere again.”

 Last year was one of the highest years in Drumheller regarding walker numbers. 

MS Walk is Boston Pizza’s Community Partner for April and BP’s will be inviting guests to round up their bill to provide donations for the entire month, as well as offering a $10 lunch combo of an individual pizza and pop, with a dollar going towards the walk.  

In running this fundraiser Boston Pizza is also supporting one of their employees who was diagnosed with MS. Restaurant server Carly Wilson of Morrin was diagnosed in 2014 and will be participating with her team “Carly’s Cuties” in the walk this year.

“It was a hard pill to swallow, but it is what it is and you can’t do much about it other than keep a positive attitude and believe it will be ok in the end,” said Wilson. “It means a whole lot to know that my BP’s family has my back.”

The MS Walk in Drumheller is scheduled to start Sunday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Badlands Community Facility. Route Lengths are 1km, 4km, 5.8km, and 10km. Walkers and teams can register at mswalks.ca, and following the event may be easily done by liking the Drumheller specific MS Walks Facebook page.