In 2007 I was able to help Nate Murphy's Judith River Dinosaur Institute program Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project during the second week (July 9th to 20th). In addition I helped him lead the two weeks of the Exploration Program in the Judith Rvier at Malta (July 30th - August 10th, 2007). Next summer I will again join Nate and Matt Murphy as part of the JRDI Staff as we lead three weeks of the 2008 Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project I hope you might consider joining Nate, the crew and me on this exciting program! Please realize that for 2008 the three weeks are nearly filled so time to join up will be shorter this fall than previous years.

I have the pages up for the work this year. I am putting link up now as I start work on the captions for each. So if the captions are not present this is still work in progress but you can at least see the images. Later I will be writing alot about what we found,but suffice to say 2007 was a bonanza year for the field work of the JRDI!!!!

• 2007 Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project-Images
• 2007 Judith River Badlands Dinosaur Exploration (Malta, MT) -Images

At this time we are reworking the JRDI pages with info about this years results as well as information on next years program. Nate and Matt are in the process of moving the JRDI to Billings this year where we will have an even bigger museum and lab facility for the work of the Institute! I and another crew member who is a professional web designer will be working on this effort, and we have started that work this week. We hope to have a new JRDI set of pages with all this info online soon, hopefully at the same location as the current old one. Keep watching over the next few weeks.

Here is the link to the next years program: 2008 Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur project page of the Judith River Institute. The 2007 Little Snowy Mountains Dinosaur Project excavation did proceed emphasis on excavation new Stegosaur material found along the same ridge as the "Mystery Sauropod". We found a major amount of Stegosaur material and have determined that the hill we are working has a bone horizon that goes 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, lies what many scientists believe to be the remains of an unknown titan of 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 not make Utah, between too much work here and it not being a good time for my visit my participation is on hold at least for now.

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 2008 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:

• Week 1: June 23rd - 27th, 2008
  Rendezvous location - Quality Inn
  Billings, MT - 6/22/08 Noon
• Week 2: June 30th - July 4th, 2008
  Rendezvous location - Quality Inn
  Billings, MT - 6/29/07 Noon
• Week 3: July 14th - 18th, 2008
  Rendezvous location - Quality Inn
  Billings, MT - 7/13/07 Noon
• Tuition: $1,595.00 (50% deposit is required to guarantee booking)
  Total participants: 16
  Minimum age: 14
  (must be accompanied by parent or guardian)

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 9-11-07