Joggins Fossil Institute – Newsletter Spring 2022
Did you know that the Joggins Fossil Cliffs site, on the Bay of Fundy, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site? If you are looking for a trip within Nova Scotia, the Joggins Fossil Cliff site is a fascinating site.
Below, we share the Joggins Fossil Institute Spring 2022 newsletter, including upcoming events.
Joggins Fossil Institute Cliff Notes E-Newsletter Spring 2022
LOOKING AHEAD
The Joggins Fossil Centre is scheduled to reopen on May 1st, for the 2022 season. We will be open every day, including holidays, between 10am-5pm. Guided beach tours will resume. We are currently developing a tour schedule which will be posted online in the coming weeks. Once the schedule is live and online, visitors will be able to book beach tours in advance. The season ends on Monday, October 10th, Thanksgiving Day.
If all goes well, beach access will be restored in early April. Several factors go into determining when the steps will be reinstalled, including tide times, contractor availability, staircase damage, and remaining snow/ice. We will have beach access restored as soon as the situation allows.
This upcoming summer should see a return to normalcy in two ways. We plan to have our café up and running to the public, not only for catered visits. We are preparing to run a limited series of the 3-Hour Adventurers’ Experience, which was on hiatus during COVID times. One bit of uncertainty, that is good for customers while nerve wracking for management, is the giftshop inventory, specifically clothing. In years past, if we found an item that sold well, we would order it repeatedly. First time visitors would not mind, of course, but local and returning visitors could find the selection a little boring year after year. Now we have clothing in new colours in a wide variety of styles. Currently it has the same imagery as used in the past – JFI Logo, “Reunite Pangea”, footprints designs – but with new styles and colours for hoodies, sweaters, and long sleeve shirts. There are also inventory issues on the non-clothing front; so be on the lookout for new giftshop items.
Happily, it looks like we will be coming out of COVID restrictions this summer. We have implemented some changes to operations due to the valuable lessons learned during the past few years. The shift in the hours of operation has been a success all around. An adjustment with admission rates, that have made it more affordable to visit the museum than in years past, while also ensuring those who want a guided beach tour experience have the opportunity. Moving to a fixed beach tour program, as opposed to an ad hoc schedule, has allowed us to meet tour demand with available staff while adding certainty to a visitor’s vacation plans, has been a success. As an organization, we have learned and grown through the pandemic, and rest assured we will continue to pursue opportunities to innovate and improve in the coming years.
Jordan LeBlanc
Director of Operations
Upcoming Events 2022
Tuesday March 15
Fibre Arts Friends
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 16
March Break Children’s Day Camp
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Park Your Paws!!”
Janice and Carrie from Park Your Paws, Amherst, along with Kevin Bacon the pig,
Hali the cat, and doggies Lexi and Wizard, teach participants about being responsible pet owners.
Thursday March 17
March Break Children’s Day Camp
9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
“Follow the Goose Butt to Nova Scotia”
Odette Barr, a New Brunswick author, and illustrator, leads participants through drawing and physical activities as a backdrop to the reading of her books for children, such as Follow the Goose Butt to Nova Scotia and Take Off to Tantramar.
Odette will be bringing a selection of her childrens’ books for purchase that day. Learn more at: http://www.chocolateriverpublishing.com/chocorivmay2017_014.htm
Only $5 per day!! – BRING SNACKS/MASKS
Pre-registration is required.
Tuesday April 19
Fibre Arts Friends
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Friday April 29
Adopt-A-Highway Clean up
Joggins Fossil Centre
9:00 a.m.
Sunday May 1
Joggins Fossil Centre opens for the 2022 season!
10:00 a.m.
Opening reception
On Exhibit: Fibre Arts Friends 2016-2022
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
And during regular Joggins Fossil Centre hours until Monday, May 16.
Tuesday May 17
Fibre Arts Friends
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 18
International Museums’ Day
Day’s admission in support of the River Hebert Schools
Food Pantry
For more information and to register:
Contact Laurie at 902-251-2727 Ext. 224 or education@jogginsfossilcliffs.net
Any existing COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Masks and social distancing required.
Activities subject to cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions
Wednesday May 18
International Museums’ Day
Day’s admission in support of the River Hebert Schools
Food Pantry
For more information and to register:
Contact Laurie at 902-251-2727 Ext. 224 or education@jogginsfossilcliffs.net
Any existing COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Masks and social distancing required.
Activities subject to cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT
Did you know?
The Joggins Fossil Institute is a not-for-profit, charitable, organization. Our organization operates on a blend of government funding, earned revenue, fundraising, and donations.
Over 50% of our annual budget is made up of earned revenue, fundraising, and donations. It is YOU – the visitors to our museum, gift shop, and café, as well as our donors and supporters – that make the Joggins Fossil Centre a reality. THANK YOU!
Donate Today
A new way to support the Joggins Fossil Cliffs!
We have had a proper winter in the Maritimes this year; but, believe it or not, spring is just weeks away.
As the snow and ice recede many of us will begin our spring clean-up, and this year we may be able to help! And, maybe you can help us.
If you have an old car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle taking up space in your yard or garage, you can donate it to JFI and receive a tax receipt!
When you donate a car to the Joggins Fossil Institute Association through Donate A Car Canada, it will either be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age, and location). And free towing is provided in most locations across Canada!
Donate a Car Canada looks after all the details, making it easy for the Joggins Fossil Institute Association to benefit. After your vehicle donation is complete, a tax receipt will be issued to you and your gift will be put to good use in support of programming at the Joggins Fossil Centre.
You get rid of that old clunker and receive a tax receipt. JFI receives a donation. And, maybe, we make the environment just a little cleaner at the same time. Win. Win. Win.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Options and Opportunities Co-op, O2 Program – River Hebert District
The Joggins Fossil Institute is pleased to be partnering with the local for its O2 Program. Ashley Grant, a grade 11 student from the school, is currently spending her Fridays with us for her work placement. Ashley was interested in learning about museums behind-the-scenes and how they function.
This program provides the Institute with an important opportunity to, in part, fulfil its outreach mandate. The chance to work with a young person, to showcase our facilities, daily operations and mission, are all important ways of reaching out to our local community.
Ashley is a 17-year-old, interested in geology and administration work. Being local to the area and growing up here, she attended all and any community events that were available to her. She enjoyed them and wishes to participate in future events with an open mind. During her time here Ashley will attend staff meetings, committee meetings, help develop the Institute’s newsletter, and annual report. She assisted with the organization of the March Break Children’s Camps and the giftshop inventory, as well as a variety of administrative duties. Ashely works principally with myself, but also with the rest of the staff. She is doing a wonderful job and is proving to be a great asset to the Institute.
Laurie Glenn Norris
Education & Outreach Manager
Read the Spring 2022 newsletter
