EventsGaffney Turtle Symposium

Symposium Events

• Friday evening (October 16) Icebreaker at the Royal Tyrrell Museum with cash bar
• Viewing of new specimens
• Saturday evening (October 17) BBQ Supper
• One-day field trip to Dinosaur Provincial Park, Monday, October 19th (there is a separate fee for the field trip)

The Setting

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is located 6 km north of Drumheller , 140 km (90 minutes) northeast of the Calgary International Airport. The weather in mid-October is typically cool to warm during the day, and cool to cold at night. Daytime temperatures range from 10-15°C (40-50°F). Although frost is normal at this time of year, snow is unlikely.

Registration

Registration fee prior to September 7, 2009 is $100 (CDN). This fee grants you access to the symposium’s presentations, social events, and BBQ supper (Saturday), and one copy of the abstract volume.

The cost for the field trip is an additional $75 (CDN), and requires a separate registration.

After September 7, the cost to register increases to $125. Symposium attendance is limited, so register today!

Currency exchange rates can be found here http://xe.com

For more information about the Symposium, contact Donald Brinkman; don.brinkman@gov.ab.ca

Accommodations

Recommended Hotels:

• Best Western Jurassic Inn - rate $119 plus tax, single occupancy, (403) 823-7700
• Super 8 - rate $119 plus tax, single occupancy, (403) 823-8887
• Ramada - rate $126 plus tax, single occupancy, (403) 823-2028

To receive the listed room rates, please state you are participating in the "Museum's Fall Symposium" when booking. Discounted rates are only available until September 15, 2009.

All rooms feature free high speed internet and complimentary continental breakfast.

For a complete list of hotels and B&B's in Drumheller visit: http://www.traveldrumheller.com/places-to-stay.html

Abstract Submission

We request that all presenters submit an abstract by JUNE 30, 2009. Note that all abstracts will be published in a combined symposium program and abstracts volume, copyrighted by the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Each symposium attendant will receive a copy of the volume as part of his or her registration fee. Additional copies will be available for purchase.

When submitting your abstract please consider the following:

• All text must be submitted in an electronic format using Word or Word Perfect with high-resolution illustrations or images submitted separately in TIFF, JPEG, or AI formats. Museum staff will determine the final print and publication format.
• Abstracts are a maximum of 2000 words (6 double spaced ms pages; Times New Roman 12) and may contain a maximum of 6 illustrations (per page). References may be included in addition to the 2000 word limit and will be reproduced at a smaller font size.
• Abstracts must contain Title, Author(s), and Affiliations. No abbreviations.
• All headings and References should be formatted as in the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences.
• Figures should be formatted for full, 1/2, or 1/4 page size (8.5x11"; 21.59x27.94 cm).

For more information, or to submit your abstract, please contact Dennis Braman at dennis.braman@gov.ab.ca

Field Trip

Southern Alberta is uniquely famous for its richness of Campanian–Maastrichtian turtle, dinosaur, and other vertebrate fossils that have been collected and studied since the 1880s. This one-day field trip focuses on fossil resources in the Oldman and Dinosaur Park formations at Dinosaur Provincial Park. We will visit classic and new localities, and review current research activities, palaeoenvironments and palaeoecology. Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit the Park!

• When? Monday, October 19, 2009
• How much? $75 (includes guidebook, travel, and lunch). Does not include supper.
• Transportation? 47-passenger bus.
• Departs: 8:00 a.m. (in front of the Ramada Inn)
• Returns: 8:30 p.m. (in front of the Ramada Inn)

You must be in good physical condition. Because we are taking a large bus to the Park, and unable to drive into the badlands preserve area, we are hiking to all localities — it is a round trip distance of about 8 km (~ 5 miles).

Dinner will be at the end of the day (5:00 pm) at the Patricia Hotel where you will "cook your own" BBQ. The cost for dinner is NOT INCLUDED in your Field Trip registration.

NOTE: Because the weather is always variable in Alberta in mid October, you should be prepared for brisk fall weather. This is badlands terrain, so good hiking boots/shoes are necessary. The cactuses at Dinosaur Park are small, but painful if ignored.

Access to Museum Collections

Our research collections are available to researchers affiliated with recognized institutions. Collections are open weekdays (except statutory holidays) from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Due to staffing limitations, access is not available on the weekend of the conference (October 17-18). Those interested in viewing collections before, or after, the symposium should contact Brandon Strilisky at brandon.stirlisky@gov.ab.ca before September 30, 2009, to arrange a visit. Requests from students require a letter, or email, of support from their thesis supervisor. Researchers who want to bring fossils with them for comparative study must have official loan documents or similar paperwork.