One of my favorite things about working with Evergreen Audubon is the incredibly talented volunteers that I get to work with. One such volunteer is Joe Gurrieri, who has spent the last few months developing and installing a new geology exhibit at the Evergreen Nature Center. Joe is a retired Geologist/Hydrologist with the US Forest Service and a hobby woodworker. He has curated new pieces for the exhibit and sourced some incredible specimens from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) to give a look at Colorado’s geologic history.

The exhibit focuses on the current and historical geology of Colorado, breaking down geological formations along I-70 from Evergreen to Denver, along with rock samples from each area. These samples are labeled and visitors are able to pick up each piece to examine the different aspects of each rock.

The pieces on loan from DMNS bring a truly unique look at the history of Colorado. The largest piece on loan is a petrified tree trunk that is estimated to be 225 million years old. This trunk is from an extinct species of conifer called “Araucarioxylon arizonicum,” and is truly incredible to look at. The top of the trunk is coated in resin to preserve the intricacies of minerals that have crystallized there.  

The smallest piece is a beautifully preserved fossil leaf from a sycamore tree that grew during the Paleocene Epoch approximately 65.5 million years ago, and provides a look at the subtropical forest that once existed along the front range. This smaller specimen is held in a glass case next to the third, and final piece on loan from DMNS – a humerus bone from a Diplodocus dinosaur! Visitors are encouraged to feel the bone and study the unique features of this ancient creature.

We are so thrilled to present this new exhibit and extremely grateful to Joe, his wife Kristina, and daughter Anna, who have spent time curating this exciting installation. Make sure you visit the new exhibit, housed in the Investigation Lab, during your next visit to the Evergreen Nature Center!