Elevation Science for Natural History Exploration

05/29/2026

For this Fossil Friday, major thanks are in order!

We are incredibly grateful to our friend Jim for providing scholarships for two students to participate in our Paleontology Field Course this summer.

Hands-on field experiences can be transformative for aspiring scientists, and scholarships like these help ensure more students have the opportunity to learn, explore, and contribute to real scientific research.

Thank you, Jim, for investing in the next generation of paleontologists!

05/26/2026

Our faces when we realize... FIELD SEASON IS A MONTH AWAY!

Flights have been booked, driving routes have been planned, and the agenda is set. In just one month, the Elevation Science team will be back in the field preparing sites, organizing equipment, and getting ready to welcome this year’s participants.

We can’t wait to return to the desert, the mountains, the crisp alpine air, and of course… the dinosaurs.

Join us in the countdown to field season!

05/24/2026

Tune in TODAY (Sunday, 5/24) from 6–7 PM MST for a fantastic conversation between Mandela van Eeden and our own Jason Poole on The Trail Less Traveled.

Jason will be talking about fossils, fieldwork, and paleontology. You can listen live on the Trail 103.3 FM or stream online at http://www.trail1033.com

05/22/2026

Happy Biological Diversity Day! 🌎

The fossil record shows us that Earth’s ecosystems have always changed through time, but it also shows us the importance of biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life.

Biodiversity helps shape a healthy and resilient planet, whether it's the ancient environments we see through their fossils or the ecosystems surrounding us today.

05/21/2026

Summer is just around the corner... 🦖⚒️⛰️

05/20/2026

Happy World Bee Day! 🐝 Did you know there are fossils of ancient bees?

Some bee fossils preserved in amber are over 100 million years old, giving paleontologists a glimpse into the early evolution of pollinators and the ancient ecosystems they helped support.

Bees still play a critical role today, helping pollinate plants that support biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and many of the foods we rely on every day.

05/18/2026

Happy International Museum Day!

Museums play an essential role in preserving scientific discoveries, supporting research, and making knowledge accessible to the public.

Today we’re especially grateful for our partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the amazing work taking place in the Paleo Prep Lab.

05/17/2026

Meet the leadership shaping the future of YBRA! 🏔️

Together, our board members represent over 60 years of administrative excellence facilitating our historic field station operations—and their personal connections to the mountain run even deeper! We are incredibly grateful for their shared vision and dedication to science education.

Executive Committee:
👑 President: Matt Knight
🌟 Vice President: John Weber
📝 Secretary: Jinny Sisson
💰 Treasurer: Jack Bonini
📜 Past President: Richard Fifarek

Board Directors:
⚒️ Christopher Coughenour
🔬 Lindsay MacKenzie
🦖 Jason Schein
🗺️ Jacob Thacker

Thank you to this incredible team for steering us through our 90th anniversary season and beyond!

Learn more about our leadership:
https://www.ybra.org/meet-our-board

Get involved 👉 [email protected]

05/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who has supported our 2026 field season fundraiser so far.

Your sponsorships are helping support the real work behind fossil discovery, including excavation, preservation in the field, jacketing supplies, and quarry operations at our active dig sites.

As we get closer to the start of field season, we still have several sponsorship opportunities available, including extra-large fossil jackets, a week’s worth of plaster, and quarry sponsorships.

If you’d like to support this season’s discoveries, you can learn more here:

https://givebutter.com/2026-fossil-sponsorship

05/14/2026

Looking for winter opportunities? SIP has officially opened their application window! See the original post to explore available positions.

The Scientists in Parks (SIP) program officially opens applications TODAY, May 11 for the winter cohort!

Every year, SIP places hundreds of college students, recent grads, and early-career professionals in national parks across the country to support real-world natural resource projects. One position might have you mapping sand dunes at Fire Island National Seashore, surveying towering cacti at Saguaro National Park, or helping protect nesting sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore 🐢🌵🌊

No two positions are the same, but every experience is built to help launch the next generation of scientists, conservationists, and public land stewards.

If you’re exploring careers in STEM or land management, this is your sign to apply 👀
https://www.scientistsinparks.org/how-to-apply
legacy National Park Service Youth & Young Adult Programs