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World comes to Rock Glen CA

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Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre attracts thousands

Paleontologists, archaeologists, international researchers, local students among the thousands of people who visit museum at Rock Glen Conservation Area near Arkona

Visitors and professional and amateur archaeologists from all parts of North America have visited the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre. The museum houses an impressive collection of Devonian Era fossils and artifacts (such as pottery and arrowheads), most of which were found in the local area. The museum is located at Rock Glen Conservation Area, two kilometres northeast of Arkona, Ontario, Canada at 8680 Rock Glen Road.

National and international researchers and fossil enthusiasts have found many fossils in the exposed beds. Some of these fossils date back 350 million years. “There have been famous paleontologists who have come from all over the place to study the fossils here,” said Bob O’Donnell, the museum’s volunteer steward. One unique fossil found in the area was a starfish with 28 arms. “There are a lot of really, really rare things,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing stuff.”

Cliff Ryan, past chairman of the museum committee, calls the museum “a hidden treasure.”

Bob O’Donnell is popularly known as The Fossil Guy, having conducted popular fossil presentations for more than 20 years, but he says on top of his interest in fossils, as museum steward he is learning more about the history of the area. “There are so many people who have made an impact,” he said. Some local people have even had fossils named after them.

Most of the fossils and artifacts at the museum belonged to the collection of Ted Baxter, who donated them to the Lions Club. Other additions to the collection come from the Toper family and from Peter Elms and others. Most of the fossils at the museum are local but O’Donnell is expanding the collection to show examples of all different kinds of fossils. This makes the collection more complete for casual visitors and students on school trips. There are many different kinds of fossils, according to O’Donnell. Fossil types include corals, brachiopods, gastropods, trilobites, starfish, amber, petrification, mummified remains, metamorphic, igneous, and trace fossils, among others.

For more information about the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre at Rock Glen Conservation Area visit abca.on.ca. If you have any questions about fossils or donations of fossils to the museum you may contact Bob O’Donnell, museum steward, at 519-690-0930 or email bob-carla@rogers.com. For information on The Fossil Guy, visit thefossilguy.co.nr.

Located on the outskirts of Arkona, Rock Glen Conservation Area is a unique island of nature within the Ausable Bayfield watershed jurisdiction. Whether taking a hike along the Ausable Gorge or within Rock Glen’s important Carolinian forest, people witness many trees, plants and wildlife that are provincially distinct to this area.

There are stairs, boardwalks and bridge allowing visitors to safely explore the steep sides of the glen and the 10.7-metre high waterfall just upstream of the Ausable River. Accessible trails allow visitors to experience the park highlights including the scenic lookouts, museum and picnic areas. There are numerous trails and boardwalks for exploring nature in this Carolinian forest. The Lookout, washrooms, museum and some trails are wheelchair accessible.

The scenic Rock Glen Falls can be viewed from the Lookout or you may go exploring for fossils at the bottom of the falls in the Ausable Gorge. Two picnic pavilions can be reserved for groups or family reunions. Weddings are increasingly popular at Rock Glen Conservation Area.

People may phone the gatehouse at 519-828-3071 or phone Ausable Bayfield Conservation’s office toll-free at 1-888-286-2610 for information. The admission fee (subject to change) is only $4 per person or $3 per walk-in and that includes admission to the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre. Driving Directions from Sarnia or London are to take Exit 44 off Highway 402 to Arkona on County Road 79. The park is located on Rock Glen Road, 2 km outside of Arkona. 

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