Matt & Max

Hi there! We’re Mattison and Maximilian — or, as we go by, Matt and Max.We first met in 2022 while working as park rangers for the U.S. Forest Service near Badlands National Park. Though we only worked together for about three months, by the end of that summer we had already become lifelong friends.

After our time at Badlands, Max went on to work as a museum educator and paleontologist, traveling across the country to visit paleontology collections for research. Today, he’s deep into finishing his master’s thesis. Meanwhile, Matt stayed on at Badlands, published her first paleontology paper, and is preparing to begin a Ph.D. program in the fall. Though our paths diverged for a few years, we were lucky enough to reconnect in 2024 — and by 2025, not only are we back in each other’s lives, but we’re living together. Over the past year, we’ve explored the country, conducted paleontology research, built our platform as social media science communicators, and so much more.

Working as paleontologists has given us a deep appreciation for the importance of protecting species diversity and studying how ecosystems respond to climate change — both in the past and present. However, our experiences as rangers and educators also taught us that scientific progress alone isn’t enough. There is a vital need for accessible, engaging science education. We’ve seen firsthand that learning about Earth’s history can inspire loyalty to the planet and motivate people to work for a better future on a timescale that extends beyond their own lifetimes.

That’s why our mission today is to make science fun, accessible, and relatable. Through the content we create, we aim to spark curiosity, foster a deeper understanding of the planet we share, and inspire environmental protection, sustainability, and responsible recreation. As a dynamic duo on social media, we’re known for making complex scientific information digestible and engaging for audiences of all ages.

Beyond science communication, we are active researchers contributing to the broader scientific understanding of Earth’s history and its conservation applications. For his master’s research, Max has uncovered insights into animal behavior from approximately 70 million years ago — no easy feat when working primarily with fossilized bones! Inspired by our time in the fossil-rich Badlands, both of us are now focused on studying periods of significant climate change in Earth’s history, hoping to extract lessons that can inform our future.

Ultimately, our work — like that of conservationists everywhere — is driven by a desire to protect our planet and its incredible biodiversity. We believe that when people understand the rarity and value of each individual lifeform, they are more likely to support conservation efforts. By helping people better understand the past, we hope to deepen their appreciation for the present and future — and to inspire meaningful action before it’s too late.

We’re excited to have you join us on this journey!