Presentation outlines vision for Wild West Dino Den in Greybull

Proposed museum would highlight world-class fossils discovered in the northern Big Horn Basin

There was a strong turnout Saturday for a presentation outlining plans for the proposed Wild West Dino Den, a new science-based dinosaur museum planned for Greybull.

The program offered an overview of the museum concept, the world-class nature of the region’s fossil discoveries and the team of scientists and community leaders helping guide the project. Organizers described a facility focused entirely on fossils discovered in the northern Big Horn Basin.

Organizer Erik Kvale reminded the audience that for nearly a century, globally significant Jurassic dinosaurs and marine reptiles have been unearthed in the Lovell, Greybull and Shell area, but most are now housed in museums far from the basin.

“Our most famous dinosaurs were found here, but people have to leave the basin to see them,” Kvale said.

He emphasized that the museum would serve as both an educational resource and a boost to the basin’s growing tourism economy. By adding a world-class dinosaur attraction to a region already known for outdoor recreation and history, organizers hope to give travelers another reason to stop, stay and explore the Big Horn Basin.

After Kvale’s presentation, there was a screening of the award-winning documentary “Why Dinosaurs?” followed by a short question-and-answer session with paleontologists and geologists involved in the project.

If you missed the Lovell presentation, it will be given at Greybull High School on March 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.