Prehistoric Island Tours

17/02/2025

Sometimes AI just can't give you what you're looking for....

Top is Island artist Emily Bond's beautiful reconstruction of Dimetrodon she graciously illustrated for me, and the bottom is ChatGPT. Thought you'd enjoy the laugh like I did! 😂

11/02/2025

A great video demonstrating the work being conducted on monitoring our Island's erosion rates by the new Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peter's Bay, PEI.

I was shocked to learn Savage Harbour lost 8 metres of shoreline from Hurricane Fiona. Despite this less-than-fortunate news it's reassuring to know we now have provincial experts monitoring our beloved coastlines using the best of modern technology!

With rising sea levels and intense storms fuelled by climate change, the pace of erosion is growing. Nowhere is that more evident than Prince Edward Island, ...

09/01/2025

Thanks for having me Prince Edward Island Museum & Heritage Foundation !

What if we told you PEI was once home to prehistoric creatures older than dinosaurs?

Join hosts Matthew McRae, Lesley Caseley, and special guest Laura MacNeil, owner of Prehistoric Island Tours as they uncover the not-so-secret facts of Prince Edward Island’s prehistoric past and answer burning questions like: Why is the Island becoming a fossil hotspot? Are we related to dimetrodons, and did they use their sails to flirt with each other? And what the heck are Laura’s favourite fossils?

This episode is proudly sponsored by Architects' Association of Prince Edward Island, Confederation Centre of the Arts, Provincial Credit Union, and The Gray Group Inc.

Listen Now!

https://www.peimuseum.ca/index.php/thehiddenisland

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-nbbk9-17a030e

10/12/2024

Give the gift of deep time for Christmas! Gift certificates are available AND 10% off regular ticket price!

1 Adult: $24.30 (reg. $27.00)

1 Youth (7-17): $12.15 (reg. $13.50)

1 Family pass (2 adults + 2-6 youth aged 7-17): $64.80 (reg. $72.00)

Children 6 and under: Free

With the ongoing Canada Post strike, to purchase you must reside in Charlottetown, Cornwall, or Stratford areas for mailbox delivery or be willing to meet up there.

To purchase simply send me a Facebook message or email at [email protected] with the tickets you'd like to purchase. Payment can be made by e-transfer.

Happy holidays everyone! 🦖

06/12/2024

I'm very excited to listen to this season's "The Hidden Island" podcast, AND be featured on an episode! I had such a blast diving into the prehistoric past with the PEI Museum's best: Matthew and Leslie. Stay tuned!

The Hidden Island podcast Season 5 is coming soon - A whole new set of Island stories, with all-new hosts and guests!

Generously sponsored by the Architects Association of Prince Edward Island, Confederation Center of the Arts, Provincial Credit Union, and The Gray Group. Thank you!

Check out the teaser for this exciting season: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-x97if-175d4c8?utm_campaign=admin_episode&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=episode_share

16/10/2024

Happy National Fossil Day!!

Why celebrate fossils you might ask? Many reasons!

1) They tell us the most fascinating non-fiction story in existence: the history and evolution of life on Earth. Have you ever asked yourself, "how do elephants exist?" Fossils can tell how!

2) They help us predict how plants and animals may adapt or become affected by things like climate, ecological, and oceanographic changes. This is especially important today with our planet undergoing climate change;

3) They help us put our own existence into perspective, and allow us to better appreciate our beautiful planet! It may make some feel small and insignificant, but remember your existence is a one in a billion chance. Make the most of your time on Earth and admire the unbelievable plants, animals and landscapes around you that 4.6 billion years of time, change and science have given us! :)

13/10/2024

That is a wrap on the 2024 season! A big thank you to everyone that has joined tours this year, to those that spread the word, and for expressing the same passion I have for exploring our Island's geologic roots. I've met some fantastic people from all over the World these past four years and every single one of you drives me to provide one of PEI's best tour experiences.

I can't wait to see you in the 2025 season! 🦎

(P.S. Islander-illustrated apparel coming soon!)

25/08/2024

Ever seen pure, white sandstone on PEI?

The tour site preserves this unusual sandstone layer you can see for yourself on a 2.5 hour tour! As an Islander I can't say I've seen this before on other Island beaches, and why that is, I have no idea. Some might say it looks like green glauconitic (low oxygen) sandstone which is common on PEI but this is..... quite different. This layer lacks the iron oxide mineral, hematite, that makes our bedrock red. Usually hematite coats our bedrock's lithified sand and silt grains like a fine dust.

What I find so intriguing about geological sites like this is they are mysteries just waiting to be solved.

On that note, if you know of any sedimentary geologists looking for topics to research send them my way! I would study them myself but I prefer the educational side over writing papers 😬 😆

There is one 2.5-hour tour left this season on Sunday, September 8th @ 9:00am! Book online at www.prehistoricislandtours.ca

20/08/2024

Fossil Day was so much fun today! Thanks so much to the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation for having me!

19/08/2024

Tomorrow is Fossil Day at the Beaconsfield Carriage House! Come stop by to see some of PEI's amazing fossil collection, partake in fun children's activities and experience our prehistoric past! 🙂 See you there!

Join us for Fossils Day on Tuesday, August 20, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm at Beaconsfield Carriage House!

Dive into the natural history of the Island with a special focus on geological history and the Island’s rich fossil record 🪨

This educational event aims to raise awareness of PEI’s natural heritage with family-friendly activities such as a “Find a Fossil” hunt, a display of some of PEI's most significant fossils and casts, a selfie station with PEI’s very own Dimetrodon, a colouring station, and an interpretive talk by Laura MacNeil, Founder of Prehistoric Island Tours 🦖

Beaconsfield Historic House

13/08/2024

Stop on by for some fossil family fun next Tuesday, Aug. 20th at 1:00pm!

Join us for Fossils Day on Tuesday, August 20, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm at Beaconsfield Carriage House!

Dive into the natural history of the Island with a special focus on geological history and the Island’s rich fossil record 🪨

This educational event aims to raise awareness of PEI’s natural heritage with family-friendly activities such as a “Find a Fossil” hunt, a display of some of PEI's most significant fossils and casts, a selfie station with PEI’s very own Dimetrodon, a colouring station, and an interpretive talk by Laura MacNeil, Founder of Prehistoric Island Tours 🦖

Beaconsfield Historic House

10/08/2024

Fiona, an Islander, showcasing her love for her home province's geologic history! Such a cool feature by Canada's Dinosaur Museum. Way to go Fiona!

28/07/2024

What a great 2.5-hour tour we had today! I got to meet some fantastic people, and they found some really beautiful fossils!

Photo 1: tree fern with barite mineralization
Photo 2: large tree fern
Photo 3: Walchia leaves discovered by Steven Coombs
Photo 4: Walchia frond discovered by Joann Tyrie
Photo 5: Walchia frond from photo 4 with fossilized wood fragment covered in yellow mineralization

26/07/2024

Two days ago Xavier Labelle discovered a beautifully-preserved piece of tree fern on our tour! I couldn't believe how quick he spotted it and his attention to detail, to say I am impressed is an understatement! Way to go Xavier!

If you'd like to come see Xavier's fossil, it is now a part of our fossil pass-around!

Book online at www.prehistoricislandtours.ca

22/07/2024

I had some wonderful outings this past weekend with the Young Millionaires Program ! Thank you to all that attended!