Courtesy Nova Scotia Tourism

Joggins, Nova Scotia – Fossilized tree trunks on the Joggins cliffs were found to contain remains of the 30-centimetre Hylonomous, the world’s first reptile (300 million years old!). Over a 100-million-year period these tiny creatures evolved into dinosaurs. The fossil cliffs stretch for 10 km along Fundy’s Chignecto Bay in Northwest Nova Scotia. Twice a day world’s greatest tides erode the shore and expose more fossils of the Carboniferous Period (that’s 280 to 350 million years ago). The cliffs have been designated a Special Place under the Province of Nova Scotia’s Special Places Protection Act and are on Canada’s tentative list for World Heritage Sites. Quick Tip: Check tides and weather when planning your visit.

Joggins is near the head of the Bay of Fundy, near Amherst, a two-hour drive from Halifax or a one-hour trip from Moncton, New Brunswick. The Joggins Fossil Centre opened April 22 (Earth Day) 2009. It’s located at the end of Main Street overlooking the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. ‘Green Technology’ has been incorporated into the building’s design, including a 50 kilowatt wind turbine.

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