71 Dinosaur Provincial Park – 1979

In addition to its particularly beautiful scenery, – located at the heart of the province of Alberta’s badlands – contains some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made from the 'Age of Reptiles’, in particular about 35 species of dinosaur, dating back some 75 million years.

Brief synthesis

contains some of the most important fossil specimens discovered from the “Age of Dinosaurs” period of Earth’s history. The property is unmatched in terms of the number and variety of high quality specimens which, to date, represent more than 44 species, 34 genera and 10 families of dinosaurs, dating back 75-77 million years. The park contains exceptional riparian habitat features as well as badlands of outstanding aesthetic value.

Criterion (vii):

is an outstanding example of major geological processes and fluvial erosion patterns in semi-arid steppes. These badlands stretch along 26 kilometers of high quality and virtually undisturbed riparian habitat, presenting a landscape of stark but exceptional natural beauty.

Criterion (viii):

The property is outstanding in the number and variety of high quality specimens representing every known group of Cretaceous dinosaurs. The diversity affords excellent opportunities for paleontology that is both comparative and chronological. Over 350 articulated specimens from the Oldman and Dinosaur Park formations including more than 150 complete skeletons now reside in more than 30 major museums. In addition to the significant number of high quality specimens, the property contains a complete assemblage of non-dinosaurian fossil material offering an unparalleled opportunity for the study of the Late Cretaceous paleo-ecosystem.

 

Integrity

At 7,825 ha in size, the property encompasses a significant portion of the badlands and riparian habitat elements found in the region. Geological processes that created and continue to be necessary to maintain the badlands landscape occur with virtually no impairment or human interference. The high natural aesthetic qualities of the badlands and riparian areas are largely intact. In many parts of the property few, if any signs of development outside of the World Heritage site’s boundaries are visible.

The known presence of Late Cretaceous fossil material is closely associated with locations where the fossil-bearing formations are exposed through erosional processes. The large majority of these exposures in the region occur within the boundaries of the property. Both the fossil material and the highly valuable associated contextual information are wholly intact. Public access to the most sensitive areas of the site is strictly controlled. Research, collection and removal of fossil material are tightly regulated. Future facility development will only be permitted within the existing facility zone.

Protection of paleontological resources, badlands landforms, and riparian habitat was enhanced in 1992 through an extension of the property of 2033 ha.

Protection and management requirements

The protection and management of the property is enabled through a number of different statutes of the Province of Alberta, notably the Provincial Parks Act and the Historic Resources Act. Strong collaboration with stakeholders and local landowners in relation to management issues is occurring on an ongoing basis. The park’s 2012 Park Management Plan provides guidance in decision-making relating to the day-to-day operation of the park and managing identified issues. The Management Plan establishes a zoning system that restricts unguided public access to the most sensitive areas of the site.

All aspects of the management and operation of the site are overseen by a park manager located on-site. Proactive enforcement of statutes dealing with the protection of fossil resources is carried out by a number of trained staff. Land use activities are actively managed and impacts from visitor activities, facility operations and livestock grazing are being controlled and monitored.

The property is underlain by significant sub-surface petroleum resources. No surface access is granted for hydrocarbon extraction within the property; however, through the use of directional drilling techniques industry is able to access the subsurface resources underlying the property from outside of its boundaries. Hydrocarbon extraction activities that are occurring outside the property are actively managed and closely monitored to ensure that both the visual and environmental impacts are minimized.

Special attention will be given over the long term to monitoring and taking appropriate actions related to a number of factors in and near the property. Specifically, these include the potential development of infrastructure and facilities, livestock grazing, oil and gas extraction, impacts of tourism, visitors and recreation, potential impacts of climate change, as well as illegal removal of paleontological resources from the property.