The Isle of Wight is one of Europe’s richest dinosaur fossil sites and the Friends of Dinosaur Isle charity want the Isle of Wight Council to support an expanded museum and science park to showcase the Islands world-famous discoveries. Sign this petition to support the development of a modern Dinosaur Museum and Science Park in Sandown, right where these prehistoric animals once roamed.

In just the last five years, ten new species of dinosaurs have been discovered here—including Vectaerovenator, Riparovenator, Ceratosuchops, Brighstoneus, and Vectiraptor. These finds have gained international attention and proven that the island has the potential to become a global hub for palaeontology, education, and eco-tourism.

The island deserves a modern facility worthy of its extraordinary fossil collection. The Friends of Dinosaur Isle Museum are promoting plans to develop a sustainable Dinosaur Museum and Science Park in Sandown. 

Our vision is for an internationally recognised, accredited museum that will make the most of the Isle of Wight’s unique and exciting heritage and its developing story, which is accessible to all for inspiration, learning, research and enjoyment.

Our Mission is to see a dynamic, interactive and educational, all weather space that is accessible to our local community and beyond, providing a quality, value for money, education and entertainment experience. The museum should care for and expand display of our island’s fossil record in an internationally recognised accredited centre. That centre should cater for all levels of research and education, encouraging accessibility and the sharing of knowledge so that the world can benefit from the rich palaeontological resources the collection holds.

This petition aims to show the Isle of Wight Council that the public strongly supports the development of a modern museum and science park on the Sandown site. Our plan would be to integrate nature and science, creating a vibrant space where dinosaur models could be displayed within a rewilded habitat, bringing the prehistoric world to life in a sustainable, educational setting. It would also provide new opportunities for local jobs, school engagement, and tourism. Together, we can show the Isle of Wight Council that the public strongly supports this vision, so when any tender for the change of use of the council-owned land is issued, it’s clear that people want it to be used for a new museum and science park

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to give the Isle of Wight a museum that reflects its global importance in the world of palaeontology. If you support the idea of a modern dinosaur museum and science park, right where the fossils are found in Sandown, please sign and share this petition.