Erin began visiting Dinosaur Ridge as a young child with her grandparents in the 1990s, had her high school senior portrait taken on the Ridge, and in April 2022 celebrated her 20th year on staff, currently as Director of Education Programs. You might say she lives and breathes Dino Ridge, and is certainly the person with more institutional knowledge than anyone on staff.
As a teenaged volunteer, Erin served as a tour guide while her grandfather drove the organization’s original tour bus (the van-o-saurus) over West Alameda Parkway, before the road was closed to public traffic. She was involved in early children’s camps and is credited with building them up to the award-winning program it has become. Erin is always excited to try a new program or retry an old one that may have been attempted before its time.
Erin’s education is ongoing and self-guided by her curiosity and the needs of the job. She loves getting in the field and getting dirty, but also enjoys professional conferences where she can attend workshops and lectures given by experts with groups like the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the Colorado Association of Science Teachers (CAST), and the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE).
Before joining Dinosaur Ridge full-time, Erin volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) learning how to set up exhibits in the education collections department. She continues to collaborate with the Morrison Natural History Museum on paleontology projects and in October 2024 will present her research on Arthur Lakes letters to O.C.Marsh at the annual Society of Vertebrate Paleontologists (SVP) meeting in Minneapolis.
Erin holds an AA in Museum Studies and in 2023 was named one of 40 Under 40 by the Denver Business Journal for her work inspiring and educating children about earth science.
As a game and music lover, Erin is passionate about bringing more interactive and technology-driven experiences for visitors to the Ridge.
(Interview Coming Later, Hotel Wifi is bad)
My Thoughts
Getting the chance to interview Erin LaCount at Dinosaur Ridge was an incredible way to start the Western Dino Road Trip. Erin was incredibly kind, welcoming, and passionate about sharing the story of Dinosaur Ridge and the amazing fossils preserved there. I’m really grateful that I was able to get in contact with her and have the opportunity to sit down and talk about paleontology, fossils, and the importance of sharing these discoveries with others.
The interview was an amazing experience, and it was awesome getting to learn more about such an incredible location from someone who helps bring its history to life. Starting the trip at Dinosaur Ridge was the perfect way to begin this adventure, and I’m excited to see where the rest of the journey takes me! 🦖
Youtube Video
Cool Pictures
