2010 Dig Program Dates. 

Week 1  June 27th to July 2nd.

Week 2  July 4th to July 9th.

Week 3  July 18th to July 23rd.

Email or call for dig space availability at jrdi@bresnan.net or 1-406-696-5842.

Since 1993, JRDI has been dedicated to the preservation and education of Montana's rich dinosaur history through our field programs.  Our six-day long dig programs are tailored with this mission in mind.   If you are serious about any aspect of natural history and love the outdoors, you'll find this a rich learning experience.  Our programs appeal to a wide audience: students, professionals and people from all walks of life from around the globe.

Each specimen we excavate has scientific value, so our digs are not for the casual vacationer.  Even if you've  never had any class room or field experience, you can still participate.  We just ask you come willing to learn and receive instruction. Everyone helps both in the quarry and in the camp! 

Sometimes our work is hot, dry and dusty, but it's always rewarding.  Perhaps that's why so many volunteers return.  We hope you'll join us in 2010.  We look forward to seeing our old friends and making new ones.  Please note:  the minimum age of participants is 14 (sorry, no exceptions).

2009 Field Report

This year's dig was literally "tons" of fun.  We means tons.  Virtually 8 tons of stegosaur bones were jacketed and removed.  The plaster was flying, and it was amazing to see giant blocks of bones be removed from the hillside where just three years ago only a grassy exposure existed.

 Block "A" was the biggest of our blocks at about 2.5 tons.  It contained a large dorsal plate, a pelvis of a juvenile, 8 ribs, several vertebrae and perhaps the most cool bone of all---a 24 inch tailspike.  Block "B" was another monster to flip and remove.  In this one ton block, we found a subadult pelvis, two femora, a menagerie of ribs and vertebrae and a scapula-coracoid.  Our third block  (Block "C") had some interesting disarticulated and fragile skull elements.  Thanks to Matt and Alison for their careful work isolating this piece from the rest of the quarry.  Finally, Block "D" contained a huge adult pelvis with both femora, and a relatively complete left leg with foot elements. Wow!  We have about 240 bones in this site identified.

Before all of these huge plaster chunks could be removed,the area had to be extensively mapped.  Thanks to Lori, Elena, Lucinda and Kay for all their attention to detail.

Thanks also to John Williamson for his technical expertise and loading of these hurculean blocks for their journey back to the lab.   Who can forget our backhoe extrodinaire, Rodney "the Scoop" Mangus?  He removed so much overburden that the 2010 crew can get the new field season started off right.

Finally, none of this work would have gotten done without the culinary expertise of Sean, also known as Chef Buckwild!  He kept everyone happy with his take on camp cuisine.  Our chef and Matt let their hair down after dinner with their musical skills as well.  You guys were great!

Staff recognizes it takes a team to pull off what we do each summer.  So to everyone we could not mention here--one huge thank you!  You were all a gracious and hard working bunch of folks.  It's people like all of you that keep us excited year after year.  We especially enjoyed the students and hope that each of you will continue your love and study of natural history.

2010 Field Season

Simply put--there is no end in site.  The bones continue into the hillside with no signs of letting up.  So 2010 crew--be prepared for discovery!  Chances are you will discover a bone that has not seen the light of day in 150 million years.....now that's cool.

2009 Dig Photo Galleries

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3