Jurassic Park is on your doorstep.
Forget the movie, the environmental charity Earthwatch can prove to you that Jurassic park lies closer to home. Over 170 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the Yorkshire coastline, and unknown to many, they left a trail behind them.
Not convinced? 'I was pretty sceptical about the existence of dinosaur tracks' said Gillian Bache, a former Earthwatch volunteer, 'but seeing the convincing evidence has changed my view.'
If you are fanatical about dinosaurs or devoted to geology, then it doesn't stop here, Earthwatch is calling for a team of enthusiastic volunteers to venture across rugged, yet spectacular terrain as part of the 6 day project Discovering Yorkshire's Dinosaurs We need your help to build up a record of dinosaur prints and tracks in the coastal and inland valley sections of northeast Yorkshire.
Both dinosaur footprints and dinosaur bones have been discovered along the Cleveland coastline. This evidence is of considerable international significance given the shortage of skeletal material from their age. The continuing study of the footprints can provide invaluable information about dinosaur communities and behaviour that cannot be obtained from other sources.
Volunteers will receive an initial orientation and training during the first few days of their expedition. This will include informal lectures and discussions about dinosaurs, the local area and its geology. After full training in field research, the hunt will begin. Any finds will be mapped in detail and rocks and slabs will be fully documented. Prints found will be recorded by photographs, field sketches and direct mapping onto transparent overlays.
Past volunteer Chris Little recalls, 'my trip satisfied a long dreamed of expedition to discover something special - and I did! Surrounded by spectacular North Yorkshire coastal scenery we happily tramped for miles, scouring the cliff face for prehistoric evidence, ably guided by our tutors. Not only a memorable trip but clearly very much enjoyed by all the participants and we helped to contribute to a small but important discovery.'
There is a small charge to join this project; in return Earthwatch can offer you comfortable accommodation, meals, packed lunches, a host of new skills and a rewarding and team-building experience. Anyone is welcome to join in and no previous experience is necessary.
To find out more about dates and prices please visit www.earthwatch.org/europe or call + 44 (0) 1865 318838.
For press information, images and interviews contact:
Zoe Gamble, Press Officer + 44 (0) 1865 318806/ zgamble@earthwatch.org.uk