Aidan Ford (Grade 12) made a recent endangered species discovery in his hometown! Aidan found a Ringed Map Turtle (Graptemys oculifera) at a park and posted a photo on iNaturalist. Someone who works for the USGS (United States Geological Survey) came across the photo and recognized the endangered species not originally known to occupy that area. Aidan, along with specialists, performed further research and compiled their findings into this essay. You can read it here and be sure to check out Aidan's bio at the end!

Aidan plans on attending Ave Maria University and studying Environmental Science. After college he hopes to work as a researcher in the field of herpetology!

Congratulations, Aidan on this wonderful achievement!