Walter Maynard, left, Somervell County Judge, joins Dr. Pat Condy, executive director of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, at the Glen Rose Chamber of Commerce meeting held March 17, when Dr. Condy spoke of the benefits tourism brings to Glen Rose.

Press Release
March 24, 2005 - For Immediate Release

FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE EXPERT SPOKE TO GLEN ROSE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON TOURISM

Tourism Attractions Are at the Heart of Glen Rose’s Economic Development

Glen Rose, Texas (March 24, 2005) – All the ingredients are there for Glen Rose to be one of Texas’ major tourist attractions, the executive director of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center said. Dr. Pat Condy said Glen Rose and Somervell County officials should place even more focus on tourism as a vital element of the region’s economy. Dr. Condy made his remarks as guest speaker at the Glen Rose Chamber of Commerce lunch March 17.

The town is unsurpassed in quality of life, and its low taxes have attracted many plant start-ups, Dr. Condy pointed out. But Glen Rose is particularly appealing to tourists because it retains its rural atmosphere while offering so much for visitors to do. That’s why Glen Rose should be defined for its tourism, and local officials should make certain more people know about the community’s many assets.

Known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas, Glen Rose’s wooded hills are home to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where Dr. Condy leads an internationally renowned, 1,800-acre wildlife conservation center, which combines entertainment with education and scientific research. In the drive-through safari, giraffes, zebras and a variety of exotic animals wander free for visitors to have the most natural experience possible. Nearly thirty percent of the species at Fossil Rim are endangered. Special residents such as red wolves, cheetahs, rhinos and prairie chickens comprise just a few of the exotic species that would be at risk for extinction without the efforts of conservationists like Fossil Rim.

Glen Rose offers a great escape from the hectic urban pace. A few miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the city is sought-after for weekend getaways at the lodging of Fossil Rim and its safari, and for one of the finest dining experiences in the country at the Rough Creek Lodge, which is ranked on the Conde Nast Traveler list of the world’s top 100 hotels and resorts; as well as for avid golfers, hunters and even weddings.

“As a financial benefit and empowerment of the local community, Glen Rose would be better off by defining the region as a tourism attraction,” said Dr. Condy. “Its stage has already been built, now we need to focus on its performance.”

About Fossil Rim: The not-for-profit Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a 1,800 acre facility that specializes in captive-breeding programs for endangered and threatened animal species. Fossil Rim is located in Glen Rose, Texas, southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. To help fund its award-winning conservation efforts, Fossil Rim operates a scenic wildlife drive that is open to the public. The 2-4 hour drive offers a unique opportunity for visitors, in all weather across all seasons, to closely observe more than 50 species of wild animals living in a near-natural environment, as well as enjoy a café and gift store. Fossil Rim partners in international species survival and recovery efforts for 14 endangered species of regional, national and international importance. Fossil Rim is approximately a one-hour drive from Fort Worth, a two-hour drive from Dallas, a three-hour drive from Austin and a four-hour drive from Houston. For more information call (254) 897-2960.

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