A three-tonne petrified tree stump, two gingko trees and an intact dinosaur footprint found just steps from the museum are treasures in the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s Cretaceous Garden, reopening Friday, May 17, after almost two years of renovations.
    The garden was closed in the fall of 2011 to allow improvements to visitor flow and accessibility for special needs patrons.
    During the process it was completely emptied of plants, with some of the more rare specimens housed off-site. Drawing from Alberta’s fossil record, the museum’s horticulturalist worked closely with palaeontologists to locate appropriate materials to recreate Alberta’s Cretaceous Period landscape.
    The redesigned garden allows visitors to experience a lush natural environment similar to the one dinosaurs inhabited 75 to 66 million years ago, when Alberta was covered in swamps, ponds and forests. It features ferns, tropical palms and flowering plants that are living relatives of the plant species that thrived in ancient Alberta.
    The Cretaceous Garden also simulates Alberta’s ancient climate, which was warm-temperate and seasonal. The change of seasons is replicated through adjustments in lighting conditions, temperature, and variations in watering amounts throughout the year.

    The World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund delivered once again for two local community groups.
    On Friday, May 3, the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce presented the Pioneer Trail Society and Drumheller Minor Soccer Association with $695 and $3,000, respectively.
    For the Pioneer Trail Society, the money will help pay for the purchase and installation of a mop sink.
    “It’s going to make it so much easier for folks to fill up and use mop buckets here,” said Phil Bryant, President of the Pioneer Trail Society.

The Pioneer Trail Society received $695 from the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund on Friday, May 3. The money will help purchase and install a new mop sink for Pioneer Trail members. At the donation were Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce General Manager Heather Bitz, Pioneer Trail Society President Phil Bryant, Chamber President John Shoff, and Pioneer Trail member Daisy Smith.

    Drumheller Minor Soccer also have their Legacy Funds earmarked for a good cause. The donation will be used to help replace soccer nets and field markers, and purchase a canopy tent for fundraising activities.
    “It’s pretty awesome, because we really needed the equipment to be upgraded for the little guys. Right now, what they’re using isn’t quite adequate,” said Marnie Chapin, who helps organize the Soccer Association.

The Drumheller Minor Soccer Association received a $3,000 donation through the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund. The donation will help pay for new nets, field markers, and a canopy tent. Accepting the donation were the Drumheller U12 Raptors, and Marnie and Cameron Chapin (center left) from Heather Bitz, Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce General Manager, and John Shoff, President of the Drumheller Chamber.

    The Legacy Fund invests a portion of the funds generated by the World’s Largest Dinosaur and giftshop as part of its original mandate. To date, the Legacy Fund has contributed over $535,000 to a variety of projects.
    The Chamber is hoping more groups will apply for the next round of donations in the fall. The deadline for projects less than $3,000 to apply is September 1, 2013.