In 2008 I was able to help Nate Murphy's Judith River Dinosaur Institute program Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project as a field leader and JRDI staff member. What a season! We now have a stegosaur bonebed and remains of at least 4 stegosaurs now. Unheard of, Stegosaurs were thought to be solitary perhaps, now we have evidence of herding in stegosaurs with remains of one near adult, two "teenagers" and one young juvenile and the bonebed goes into the hill with another just 30 feet away. We dug far back in the hill this year with the help of Rodney and a backhoe he rented. (more in photos soon here).

Next summer I will again join JRDI staff (Nate and Matt Murphy, Susie Maidment, Elena Victory) part of the JRDI Staff as we lead at least three weeks of the Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project I hope you might consider joining Nate, the crew and me on this exciting program! Please realize that for 2009 the three weeks are filling quickly with many returnees in what is proving to be a unique one of a kind find for stegosaurs so if you want to join us do not hesitate to do so. You will find this an opportunity rarely afforded to work on these rare stegosaurs and one of the first monospecific stegosaur bonebed.

Now the 2008 photos are up and they have captions so check out the 3 week tour repsesented in these photos, maybe you will want to join us for 2009

Now the JRDI is settled in Billings, and this summer (July 2008) we found a building to house equipment, display and prepare the stegosaurs from this project. Nate, Matt, Elena and others (such as Rodney) will be working to prepare the building this fall to begin work on the stegosaur material we have out of the ground.

Here is the link to the next years program: Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur project page of the Judith River Institute. 2008 continued work on the new Stegosaur material found along the same ridge as the "Mystery Sauropod". The stegosaur bonebed as I mentioned goes into the hill with no sign of stopping, and through further exploration along the ridgline we have determined that the hill we are working several bone horizons that go for several miles. This is developing into a major long term field project and research program.

Our site is Located about 82 miles north of Billings, Montana, nestled in the pine tree dotted foothills beneath the Little Snowy Mountains, where we have found many remains of several possibly new dinosaurs from the Jurassic period.

Now that I am officially retired and do not have to take vacation time I will be devoting a substantial part of my mid summer time as a staff member of the Judith River Dinosaur Institute so expect to see alot more information about that work here. This year I did make a one week visit to Steve in Utah, but between too much work here and other summer plans this may not be as regular as I once was. I gave a presentation on this dig (same slide show above for 2008) and we did some Green River work and preliminary work for a possible JRDI paleo tour of Colorado Plateau.

Imagine being part of our paleontological team with the privilege of excavating a creature over 150 million years old! This may be a new species, offering a rare opportunity indeed!

Although prior field experience is not required for the 2009 Little Snowy Moutains Dinosaur Project, please realize that this is a scientific excavation and should be treated as such. If you are not a dinosaur fan, that’s okay! But bring a serious student-like attitude with you.

WARNING!! This is NOT a Paleo-dude ranch! However, we also know how to have a little fun in the process. And let me tell you we have some real fun and some of the best food you will ever find in a field dig -- second to none!!! So, if you don’t mind the hard work, hot sun, the occasional bug and wildlife running around, join us in excavating this unknown giant of the Mesozoic under the big sky of Montana.

This program will be a camp-out dig - no motels - and will offer a true Montana outdoor experience. Tuition includes all food and beverages (except alcoholic) while we are at camp.

Participants must bring their own tents, sleeping bags and personal effects. All excavation materials will be provided. We will help coordinate the rendezvous point and ground transportation (shared participant cost) from and to Billings, MT. If you have further questions regarding the program please feel free to contact us at (406) 696-5842

Sauropod and Stegosaurus Camp-out Digs Field Program Stats(Note these are the dates as I recall from the list I saw while in field with Nate, I will correct them soon if they are not):

Mailing Address: Judith River Dinosaur Institute
Judith River Dinosaur Institute - 2002
Box 51177 Billings, MT 59105
Contact Nate Murphy at: (406) 696-5842
Email: jrdi@bresnan.net

For more information on our program through the JRDI and the registration form for 2008 may be found here.

Dino Russ 8-15-08