Barb Beasley, our great Paleontology PIT leader, had another fantastic project this summer. The resulting story was written up in the North Platte Bulletin! Along with Reid Cummins, her co-director and Paleontology Master's student at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Barb worked with 14 PIT volunteers to uncover a variety of fossils and coprolites (yep, fossilized dino dung!). There was a plesiosaur, which has been likened to the Loch Ness Monster; a pteranodon, a flying reptile; two turtles; and baculite fossils.
This field work helped Reid Cummins gather the research needed to finish his Master's Thesis, and for the U.S. Forest Service to further its goal of preserving and discovering the Nation's past (sometimes far distant past) with the aid of the public. It also sounds like Barb and Reid provided stellar accommodations out in the field. Great work everyone!
(Photo Courtesy of PhotoImage)
