From Charles Helm at the Geopark Symposium in Stonehammer, NB To all friends of the Tumbler Ridge Aspiring Geopark We are finally on our way to Stonehammer, New Brunswick, for the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network conference. It lasts from September 18-22, and on the final evening we will learn if we have achieved Global Geopark status or not. We have a strong delegation attending: Linda Helm, Sue Kenny, Jim and Helen Kincaid, April Moi, Larry White and Mayor Darwin Wren. Larry has gone ahead as he will be talking to a bunch of school groups in the lead-up to the conference. Our master plan is underway, with funding from provincial government: Sue Kenny, April Moi and Andy Ackerman will be leading the team that develops it, with an expected completion date at years end. It has been a golden summer of exploration and discovery and research. Thanks to the outstanding work of our scientists, the tyrannosaur trackway publication continues to make international news and has placed us in the global spotlight. There have been a number of new discoveries this summer: new bird trackways, dinosaur trackways (including probably the oldest in the proposed Geopark), unexpected crustacean fossils, giant clam fossils, a new marine reptile, etc. The bird trackway on Mt Roman was recovered by helicopter and is now in the museum. Work has continued in Dinosaur Gorge with the making of a replica of the trackway discovered there last year - our MLA Mike Bernier spent time in the field with our palaeontologists on this project. Remarkably, we continue to identify waterfalls previously unknown to us - one of these is arguably our most spectacular (quite a claim if you consider the other contenders). And we have made a number of new cave discoveries and other geological phenomena. There is a lag phase of a few years between all these discoveries as the research gets done, exhibits get created and trails get considered, but the potential is enormous. The prehistoric Tumbler Ridge bison was repatriated and delivered to the museum on September 6th by our archaeology friends at SFU, and will be the centre of a celebration event with First Nations over the winter prior to being exhibited. Our volunteers did us proud in assisting to host an international conference on aging, organized by UNBC and Trent University. TRs potential as an outstanding conference venue has been cemented. Getting twenty international delegates close to the prow of the Titanic Rock was a highlight for them and for us. Hiking trail improvements continue, with the boardwalking of the Babcock Falls trail as the most obvious example. The Emperors Challenge was perhaps the most successful yet (1100 entries) and all participants were given information about the geological scenery they would be passing through. The TR Trail project is complete - 27 kms that encircle three quarters of TR and lead to many geological sites of interest. Roadside signage for the trails and rec sites is being upgraded. And most important, enhanced geological signage is being installed on the hiking trails - with different approaches for the forest trails (where trailside signage is often appropriate) and alipne trails (where trailhead information is more suitable). So far 14 out of 32 trails have been completed with enhanced geopark signage, and the signs for the rest will be developed over the winter and installed in spring. We are working with BC Parks to enhance signage and brochures for Kinuseo Falls and Stone Corral, and have worked with the researchers at UBC regarding the wren discoveries at Quality Falls trail (the resulting sign is worth checking out at the trailhead, just off the highway). Funding for these projects (in addition to that of the PRRD which sustains all our work and enables the trip to Stonehammer for four of our delegates) has been remarkable: MEC, DTR, Northern BC Tourism, Rec Sites and Trails, BC Parks Enhancement Fund. It is hard to believe it is not even two years since Rich and Lisa returned from Turkmenistan and we first learned of the Geopark concept. We are aware of our weaknesses and have no unrealistic expectations as we head for Stonehammer. We are also acutely aware of the economic circumstances that have caused TR coal mines to close temporarily, and how our project holds out hope for economic diversification for our community and region. Regardless of the decision on our bid for Global Geopark status, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated committee and the enthusiasm of our supporters, I do think we can look in the mirror and conclude that we could not have tried harder. We will keep you informed over the next ten days.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 21:21:57 +0000
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