It’s that time of year again! Time to reflect on the year’s events and the things that matter most to us. Elevation Science took a moment to sit back and do just that.

Jason Schein working in the Mother’s Day Quarry

“Being a part of Elevation Science has given me so many things to be thankful for. Contributing to and advancing science is, of course, extraordinarily gratifying. Spending my summers in one of the most beautiful places on Earth is a highlight as well. But the one thing that stands out to me the most is that this organization has given me the opportunity to meet so many fascinating and inspiring people from around the world. To all of my Elevation Science friends; the entrepreneurs and students, industry leaders and Make-A-Wish kids and families, participants and staff - you've all made this a truly wonderful adventure, and you've made my life far richer than it ever was before. Whether you realize it or not, you are missed, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to spend some time with you in the mountains and deserts of southern Montana.”

- Jason Schein (he/him), Executive Director

Devon smiling next to a femur she was helping to excavate

“When we spend so much of our lives at work, I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to spend my work time with brilliant, funny colleagues, meeting amazing people brought together by love of adventure, developing new programs to inspire people around the world to love science, and digging for dinosaurs!”

- Devon Francis (she/her), Director of Development

Jason Poole deep in thought at Mother’s Day

“As I get older, I am thankful for a full-ish head of hair, suspenders, and hot coffee at the cafe or diner. I am thankful for the wild spaces and discoveries that take me out of my norm. I am thankful to those people who came before and had the foresight to protect these wild places, and to those who work to do more to reconnect these places and the pockets of life within. I am thankful for all the people whom I have shared some of these experiences with, digging up fossils or sketching in the woods. Lastly, I am thankful for anyone that has read this and has taken something away from it.”

- Jason Poole (he/him), Field Crew Chief and Paleoartist

Katie Hunt with a femur from the 2022 expedition

“I have a lot to be thankful for this year, but even more so this Thanksgiving as it is the eve of my first anniversary with Elevation Science. A year ago, I was in the throes of packing to make the move to Philadelphia, nervously excited for the new adventure awaiting me on the other end of a 500-mile move. And wow, what an adventure this first year truly has been. Waiting for me here in Philly was a whole team of devoted volunteers, shelves of fossils to work on, and an entire community of folks from near and far who love Elevation Science that welcomed me with open arms. The past year has been chaotic in the best way, and I cannot wait to see what 2023 holds for our team.”

- Katie Hunt (she/her), Fossil Lab Manager

“Words cannot describe how thankful I am to work with this incredible organization, meet people from all over the world, and unabashedly do what I love. I can’t thank this group enough for taking a chance on me and allowing me to dig up dinosaurs like I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a kid. Our mission to advance science and communicate the importance of what we do means a lot to me, and I’m grateful to be part of that mission.”

- Skye Walker (she/her), Field Assistant

Jeb (left) and Daniel (right) after jacketing at the Andersen site

“I'm thankful for the opportunities I've been given that have helped me chase my dreams. I'm thankful for all my advisors, my mentors, my friends, and my family who have worked with me and supported me thus far, and who encourage me to never give up. Perhaps most of all though, I'm thankful that a kid from southeast Ohio has been given these opportunities, because there are far too many of us who are never given that chance.”

- Daniel Dunfee (he/him), Field Intern

“This year, I'm especially thankful for all the friends I've made in the field of paleontology. Our community is always there to support each other, cheer each other on, and share the best dinosaur memes. Friends who dig up fossils together stay together!”

- Jeb Bugos (he/they), Field Intern

From all of us at Elevation Science, thank you to the donors, participants, volunteers, and partners who make our work possible! We wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving!

A Dino-Sized Thank You