T-Rex and All of His Dinosaur Buddies Will Soon be Stalking Missouri Botanical Garden

By Karen Hagenow

St. Louis, MO - Hidden within the lush greenery of a thriving tropical rain forest, visitors to the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis will experience an excitement eons in the making. Encounter dozens of realistic, prehistoric creatures taking up residence inside the famed Climatron® dome during “DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time.” Join the adventure May 1 through Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Exhibit entry is $5 for adults and $3 for children (ages three to 12), in addition to regular Garden admission.

Since 1960, the Climatron has easily been one of the most recognizable features at the Garden, noted as the first geodesic dome to be used as a plant conservatory. Inside, verdant foliage, cascading waterfalls and a warm, humid climate simulate an authentic jungle atmosphere. In celebration of this icon’s golden anniversary in 2010, visitors of all ages will be transported back in time to the golden age of dinosaurs, discovering the important connections between living creatures and Earth’s ecosystems in the past, present—and future.

“How we manage our resources will have a major effect on the future of life, and there are many lessons to be learned from the past,” said Dr. Peter Raven, president of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Wind through the 24,000-square-foot conservatory on the “trek through time” to witness more than a dozen scenes of dinosaurs and other reptiles from the Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic and Permian periods “frozen in time” amid the living flora. Encounter a pair of hungry Heterodontosaurus herbivores, a bulky-bodied Placerias and its carnivorous predator, the Postosuchus. Glance up to see three hairy Sordes, ready to take flight from their perches in the trees. Spot a flock of bird-like Bambiraptors hovering beneath green cycads, keeping watch over nests brimming with eggs, as five Compsognathus and a trio of vigilant Citipati tend to their own anticipated offspring.

A carnivorous 12-foot-long Syntarsus appears light on his feet, while an eight-foot-long Dimetrodon is unmistakable with its bony, spinal dorsal fin. Look for a winged Rhamphorynchus, lurking in the treetops. See two Quetzalcoatlus young searching for their missing parent, who is flying high in the adjacent Shoenberg Temperate House conservatory.

The realistic dinosaurs and other reptiles on display are the creations of Guy Darrough of Lost World Studios in Arnold, Mo. Darrough has been devoted to building life-sized models of these extinct creatures for nearly 15 years.

“My ultimate goal is to create an experience that is realistic enough to draw visitors into the arena of science and learning,” said Darrough. “The aesthetic appeal of these dinosaurs coupled with the surrounding vegetation is just incredible.”

Find more of Darrough’s life-sized creatures outside on Garden grounds. See a 30-foot-long, duck-billed Parasaurolophus nurturing its three young as a 32-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex towers above the surrounding flora. On public display for the first time, a 30-foot-long pregnant Hypsibema, the Missouri state dinosaur, watches over its nest and greets visitors near the entrance to the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden.

Discoveries continue inside the Brookings Interpretive Center, where visitors of all ages can further explore and learn about a common reality that humans share with dinosaurs: our lives depend on plants. Climb inside a dino nest and use palm fronds and other plant material to protect eggs, just like dinosaur parents did. Head to the fossil field lab to dress up in explorer gear and use tools like real scientists. An excavated 65-million-year-old sandstone slab containing over 200 bones from dinosaurs, turtles, fish and birds will be on display, as well as a diversity of plant and animal fossils.

Curious visitors can hang out in the “Dinosaur Diner” to explore the cuisine preferred by prehistoric herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Visitors will also be challenged to distinguish between fact and fantasy with an up-close look at the Dino Egg Incubator, an original prop from the set of the movie “Jurassic Park III,” juxtaposed with vivid new visuals of dinosaurs made possible by researchers funded by the National Geographic Society. Just outside the Climatron, a mini dino dig site invites the youngest of curious explorers to unearth faux bones and fossils.

The Garden’s Climatron complex also serves as an ideal setting to celebrate 2010, officially designated the Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. Within the Brookings Interpretive Center, the “Cloud Forest Café” corner invites visitors of all ages to settle in on comfy couches to browse stocked bookshelves, explore tiny terrariums, play games and assemble puzzles. Discover the scents and spices of the rainforest along with the everyday gifts the rainforest provides, like medicines, foods and building materials, through educator-led activities for all ages. Monthly updates from the field will share the global efforts of Garden scientists to document and protect at-risk plants and ecosystems. A symbolic biodiversity tree represents the millions of plant and animal species that science has identified thus far and the millions more yet to be discovered, exploring the connection between individuals’ everyday choices and the planet’s biodiversity.

Throughout the DinoQuest exhibit, educator-staffed interpretive carts offer additional opportunities for hands-on explorations of dinosaurs and prehistoric plants, helping visitors of all ages to understand their connections to at-risk species today.

Exhibit sponsorship of “DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time” is generously provided by Cardinals Care; Insituform Technologies, Inc.; Macy’s; Cheryl and Dave Morley; and an anonymous contributor.

Special Events and Activities
Special themed classes, events and activities will be offered throughout the DinoQuest exhibit’s duration to enhance the visitor experience. Bring your family to experience the wonder of the Garden and DinoQuest after hours with Jurassic Dark, Thursdays in May through September from 6 to 10 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.). Take an evening trek through the Climatron® tropical rain forest, where dramatic lighting and fog elements enhance the dinosaurs’ habitat. Explore the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden, open from 6 to 8 p.m., and enjoy face painters, balloon artists and dino-mite dining in the Sassafras cafe, serving a full menu until 8 p.m. Jurassic Dark evenings are $9 for adults and $7 for children (ages three to 12).

Be among the first to sleep out under the stars at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s first official sleepovers! Scouts and troop leaders are invited to the DinoQuest “Scouts Under the Stars” Garden Sleepover from Friday, May 7 at 6 p.m. through Saturday, May 8 at 9 a.m. Experience a private flashlight tour of the Climatron and go on a guided night hike adventure through the Garden grounds before settling in to your sleeping bag for the evening (no tents, please). The event includes dinner, a late-night snack and light breakfast, and is designed for scout groups with children ages eight to 12. Cost is $45 per person, with one free adult chaperone for every five scouts.

Families can join others across the nation participating in the National Wildlife Federation’s “Great American Backyard Campout” by registering for the DinoQuest Family Sleepover, held Saturday, June 26 at 6 p.m. through Sunday, June 27 at 9 a.m. Celebrate the great outdoors and reconnect with nature as you enjoy exclusive nighttime access to Garden venues, take a flashlight night hike, sing songs, make a craft and listen to stories. The event includes dinner, a late-night snack and light breakfast, and is designed for families with children ages six to 12. Cost is $45 per person for all ages; one adult is required for every two children.

The Garden has also added a trio of themed summer camp experiences to their lineup of class offerings. Camp MBG: Prehistoric Garden for ages nine through 11 investigates the secrets of prehistoric plants and dinosaurs in the Climatron. Learn how scientists have discovered so much about extinct animals and complete a week-long, inquiry-based project to share with parents on the final day of camp. Camp meets July 19 through 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and costs $185 per child.

Camp MBG: Triassic Trek for ages six through eight encourages children to discover the prehistoric paradise inside the Climatron, learning about dinosaurs and ancient plants—some of which are still around today. Campers will also discover why protecting the rain forest is so important. Camp meets July 27 through 30 from 9 a.m. to noon each day and costs $96 per child.

Camp MBG: Dino Discovery Camp for ages four and five includes dino-inspired art projects and explores the habitats of the past, present and future. Camp is Aug. 3 through 5 from 9 a.m. to noon each day and costs $72 per child.

Garden Buds: DINO-mania offers parents the chance to experience the Garden together with their youngster ages four to six. Discover the amazing world of plants and dinosaurs as you explore the new residents inside the Climatron tropical rain forest. The class is offered Thursday, May 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and again on Sunday, May 23 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cost is $18 per class and includes one child plus accompanying adult.

Advance registration is required for all sleepovers, camps and classes. Visit www.mobot.org/classes to browse the complete line up of all spring and summer programs for youth and adults and register online, or call (314) 577-5140.

Amenities
The Garden offers ample amenities to make your family’s visit a superb one! Free parking is available on site and two blocks west of the Garden at the intersection of Shaw and Vandeventer. Stop by the ticket counter for stroller, wheelchair or scooter rental,available on a first come, first served basis. Stroller rental is $1; wheelchair rental is free. A limited number of motorized scooters are also available for rent on a first come, first served basis to visitors age 18 and over with a valid driver’s license. The rental fee is $25 plus a $25 refundable deposit. For questions about accessibility, please call (314) 577-5101.

The Sassafras café in the upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center offers dining both inside and outdoors on the terrace. A variety of soups, salads and sandwiches are available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, with light refreshments available throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Treat your young paleontologist to a special DinoQuest kids menu featuring MACasaurus and Cheese and Raptor Nuggets (dino-shaped chicken nuggets). Or, enjoy a la carte items available at the Terrace Café inside the Kemper Center for Home Gardening, a short walk from the Children’s Garden and Brookings Interpretive Center.

Stop by the Garden Gate Shop in the lower level of the Ridgway Visitor Center to browse a large stock of dinosaur-themed souvenirs and merchandise. Choose from youth and adult t-shirts, caps and socks; fossils in all shapes and sizes; pictorial, non-fiction, coloring and sticker books for children of all ages; small and large figure models; stuffed animals and puppets; a dino-hunter helmet with light; a mock dino skull and Velociraptor claw necklace for kids; amber and fossil jewelry for adults; DVD, puzzles, games and much more! The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Hours and Admission
“DinoQuest: A Tropical Trek Through Time” is on display Saturday, May 1 through Sunday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Purchase tickets on site or in advance at www.mobot.org/tickets.asp. Exhibition admission (which includes entry to the Climatron dome, Shoenberg Temperate House and Brookings Interpretive Center) is $5 for adults (ages 13 and over) and $3 for children (ages three to 12), in addition to Garden admission. Exhibition admission is free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m.

Regular Garden admission is $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County resident admission is $4 for adults (ages 13 to 64), $3 for seniors (ages 65 and over), and free on most Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Special admission rates apply during the third weekend of May, Labor Day weekend and the first weekend of October.
Jurassic Dark evenings are Thursdays, May 6 through Sept. 30 from 6 to 10 p.m., with the last entry at 9:30 p.m. Cost is $9 for adults and $7 for children (ages three to 12), and includes Garden, Children’s Garden and DinoQuest exhibit admission.

Enjoy discounted admission rates when you become a Missouri Botanical Garden member! Members receive free general Garden admission, discounted DinoQuest admission of $3 for adults and $2 for children (ages three to 12) and free DinoQuest admission on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Members also enjoy discounted Jurassic Dark admission of $5 for adults and $3 for children. Purchase or renew your membership this year to receive a free eco-friendly, hand-powered flash light, perfect for a Thursday night expedition! For more information or to join, visit www.mobot.org/membership or call (314) 577-5118.

For More Information
The 79-acre Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit. Free parking is available on site and at lots two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

For more information about the DinoQuest exhibition, visit www.mobot.org/dinoquest. For general Garden information, visit www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour recorded event hotline at (314) 577-9400 or toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.

DinoQuest sponsorship opportunities are available. Call (314) 577-9500 or visit www.mobot.org/dinoquest/sponsor for more information.

Jurassic Bugs
Also May 1 through Oct. 3, visit the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House at Faust Park in Chesterfield, Mo. to experience “Jurassic Bugs.” Thirty-inch dragonflies, foot-long cockroaches and a 10-foot sea scorpion are among the models joining a host of crawling, flying and nesting living creatures on display. For more information, visit www.butterflyhouse.org or call (636) 530-0076. The Butterfly House is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Purchase a combination Triceratops Ticket to enjoy three times the bundled fun at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden and Butterfly House—all at a special discounted rate! Visit http://www.mobot.org/dinoquest/triceratops.asp for details.

To view Missouri Botanical Garden's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-1032-Missouri_Botanical_Garden