Article by Jessica Renstrom | Photos courtesy of Elevation Science

If you had asked 12-year-old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the immediate answer would’ve been a paleontologist. I have always been fascinated by the gigantic, awe-inspiring creatures that once roamed the Earth. Although I did not pursue paleontology as a career, digging for dinosaur bones has never left my bucket list. Last year, I fulfilled that dream with a visit to the Mother's Day Quarry, a dig site operated by the Elevation Science Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to paleontology and natural history research, education, and outreach. And I’m thrilled to report that the experience was even better than what my childhood imagination could’ve conjured.

ELEVATION SCIENCE INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL HISTORY EXPLORATION

During a seven-week field season every summer, individuals from all over the world gather at quarries in the Bighorn Basin to work alongside the Elevation Science Institute staff. Participants don’t stand back and watch; every dinosaur enthusiast is welcomed into the dig site for hands-on experience excavating and jacketing fossils. Individuals work with the Elevation Science team to uncover an array of fossils while piecing together a better understanding of what the world looked like in our area millions of years ago.

The opportunity to dig for dinosaurs and learn about the Earth’s history brings people from all occupations, ages, and backgrounds together in the quarry. You may be digging next to a doctor, farmer, student, or even family member. I shared my spot in the quarry with my daughter, who shares my affection for fossils. It was difficult to tell which of us was more elated at finding remnants of a young sauropod Diplodocus (a long-neck dinosaur), but I’m certain that neither of us will ever forget the gratifying feeling of touching a smooth dinosaur bone peeking out from the dirt.

Our experience in the field was incredible, and many other participants agree. “I loved getting hands-on experience with excavation techniques and learning about the different types of fossils we uncovered,” stated Grégory Quitt, who joined the crew all the way from Switzerland. “The staff created a fun and educational environment, making each day exciting and rewarding.”

The team at Elevation Science provides an amazing mix of education, humor, and an incredibly welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. For this reason, many of their participants come back year after year.

FOSSILS: MONTANA’S AMBASSADORS

Due to Montana's lack of sufficient repository space, most of the fossils collected each season are taken to the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science, where a lab crew continues to prepare them for research, educational programming, and possibly even display. After last season, some of the fossils collected by Elevation Science were taken to the Montana Natural History Center, where they are being cleaned by Jason Poole, Elevation’s Field Expedition Field Crew Chief.

“Fossils are some of Montana’s greatest ambassadors,” states Jason Schein, Executive Director of Elevation Science Institute. “Every year, hundreds of millions of people go through museums like the ones in Cincinnati, seeing fossils from Montana, and it inspires them to learn more about Montana and come visit.”

NATURE SCIENCE

Despite their passion for paleontology, this area of education is not Elevation Science’s sole focus. “I want to apply our brand of citizen science to more of the natural world and cover as many of the natural science topics as we can,” expresses Jason.

In accordance with its mission, the organization continues to grow and expand, now offering five new natural science programs. Drew Lefebvre, founder and director of Turnstone Nature Education, guides the new exploration programs, which cover various topics, including hiking and ecosystem education, herbal medicine creation, and a Master Naturalist Certification course.

The natural science programs are based out of the organization’s camp at the Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association in Red Lodge. “Camp is wonderful because its setting provides such a great variety of things to talk about and is centrally located,” explains Jason. This positioning near the Beartooth Mountains base allows participants to learn about multiple ecosystems within a day’s drive. For example, the course may focus on aquatic systems near camp one day, flowers in the Beartooth Pass the next, and close out the week with a geology lesson at a quarry.

MAKE-A-WISH

“I’m really happy with everything we do, but there’s nothing more rewarding than our Make-A- Wish program,” states Jason. Elevation Science has collaborated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill the wishes of several critically ill children who dream of digging for dinosaurs. One of these children is Eero Solomonson. Diagnosed with leukemia in February 2021, Eero visited the quarry with Elevation Science after completing his last round of chemotherapy. “Having these kids come out and live out their dreams has been an amazing experience.”

EXPERIENCE THE SCIENCE

Interested in joining Elevation Science for a dig or nature program? Whether you’re interested in a day dig, a week-long excursion, or a multi-day nature course, sign up early! Their programs fill up quickly. If you cannot make it into the field but want to bring some paleontology into your home, check out Elevation Science’s “Dino Kidz Box!” With this kit, kids (and kids at heart) can create a cast of the real claw of 'Weird Al,' the Allosaurus discovered in 2019 and excavated by the Elevation Science team.

Whether you’re out in the field with Elevation Science or simply exploring your backyard, our world is full of treasures worth discovering. A walk through a local park, a visit to a natural history museum, or a hike in the wilderness of Montana provides many opportunities to marvel at its wonders.

Originally printed in the February 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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