Lecture on the Life of the Jurassic Period in Connecticut

When asked where dinosaur fossils are found, many people are likely to think about the Western United States, Mongolia or other exotic locales. Even experts are surprised to learn that Connecticut and Massachusetts are home to some of the world’s richest fossil deposits dating from the Age of Dinosaurs, some 200 million years ago.

Westminster faculty member and paleontologist Nick McDonald will give a public lecture at Westminster School on Sept. 16 about his latest book, “Window Into the Jurassic World.” The book is an authoritative look at early Mesozoic life in Connecticut and Massachusetts, including dinosaurs, fishes, invertebrates and plants.

Nick will describe local Triassic and Jurassic environments and ecosystems, and the animals that created the famous trackways at Dinosaur State Park, in Rocky Hill, Conn. Highlights of the talk will include color slides of the striking Mesozoic dioramas and models at the park, and photos of some of the finest fossils yet obtained from Jurassic strata in the Central Valley. Plants, invertebrates, fishes, bones and tracks from the speaker’s collection will be featured.

The Westminster School Lecture Series features presentations throughout the academic year by Westminster faculty members related to their areas of expertise. The lecture is free and open to the public and will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Gund Reading Room of the Armour Academic Center. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the lecture and ample parking will be available in the parking lot adjacent to the Armour Academic Center.