This month, we’re excited to highlight Cody Ewing, whose passion for paleontology has made a remarkable impact on our team! Cody currently serves as a Paleontology Assistant at the Department's Dinosaur Park. Currently serving in the United States Army, Cody began volunteering with encouragement from the Army along with his interest in paleontology. Cody shared "When I learned about the opportunity, I was interested not only in paleontology but also the ability to learn and teach others about the vast natural history in this area."
In 2024, Cody contributed 127 hours assisting with identifying fossils, organizing collections, and supporting fieldwork. His attention to detail and enthusiasm for the field of paleontology has been a great addition to the Dinosaur Park Team.
One of the standout moments in his volunteer journey was during a dig at the Park when a patron discovered what they thought was a rock. After showing Cody, Cody stated "something seemed off" about the item and called over Park Staff. This so called "rock" was identified as part of a theropod bone. Theropod dinosaurs were a group of carnivorous dinosaurs, that lived millions of years ago and are now extinct. Cody stated "the excitement of the patron and the fact of what was first just a rock turned out to be a piece of rare bone was pretty amazing for me."
Not only is Cody dedicated to the technical aspects of paleontology, he also engages in educational efforts to inspire future generations of paleontologists. When local schools tour the park, Cody has been essential with helping students identify fossils, sharing his knowledge about fossils and prehistoric life with young students.
When asked what motivates him to keep volunteering, Cody expressed his gratitude for the Dinosaur Park staff. "I can't began to describe how thankful I am to have the opportunity to help this team out. There's so many staff at the park who've made my experience wonderful. They have made me feel welcomed throughout my experience and provided me with a number of opportunities that I will never forget."
Looking to the future, Cody plans to continue his service at the Dinosaur Park while he remains stationed in the area. Beyond his volunteer work, Cody can be found enjoying the natural history of Maryland, indulging in anime or raising his pet gecko.
Thank you, Cody, for your dedication and for inspiring others to explore the wonders of Earth’s past!
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