Swimming Into Week Three

Swimming Into Week Three

Fort Christiansvaern (Constructed 1738-1749)

Greetings! My name is Connor Caruso from cohort 7. This summer I have the opportunity to go on an internship in the US Virgin Islands. For the next nine weeks, I will be spending time with various divisions at Christiansted National Historic Site (CHRI) in St. Croix.

My second week in CHRI was spent with the division of visitor and resource protection. Over the course of the week, I witnessed the many different hats a ranger has to wear in order to ensure the park remains safe and operational for visitor use. I started my week assisting Ranger Laurencin at Fort Chritiansvaern, where we collected money from the fee collection area and met with the visitor use assistant. After collecting the visitation fees, I had an opportunity to walk through the historic site. The park consists of six historic structures: Fort Christiansvaern, the Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse, Steeple Building, Customs House, Scale House, and Government House. The structures represent some of the most complete and preserved assemblages of 18th and 19th century Danish colonial architecture. Waysides placed around each structure tell a story about St. Croix's colonial legacy and interpret the site where tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were transported to the Caribbean. 

A view from inside Fort Christiansvaern

Mounted cannons once used to protect the island from pirates

The Customs House served as a place to pay taxes on imports (Constructed 1840-1842)

Fort Christiansvaern from the water

The Scale House was used to weigh goods prior to export

After exploring the historic site, Ranger Laurencin showed me the emergency medical supplies that rangers are equipped with in order to respond to medical emergencies. While all law enforcement officers are emergency medical responders (EMR's) a majority of park rangers are emergency medical technicians (EMT's). The increased training allows park rangers to provide a higher quality of patient care and potentially provide life saving interventions. I was excited to see the assortment of medical supplies Ranger Laurencin acquired for the park. I spent a portion of the day organizing medical equipment and outfitting the first in bag with the necessary supplies.

First responder medical bag

On Saturday, two local high schools celebrated prom. The park is a popular spot for students to come take photos before heading to the dance. Ranger Laurencin detailed that in previous years, the high volume of students coming for pictures caused traffic congestion and delays. To mitigate the traffic, we worked with VIPD to direct traffic and ensure the road remained open and accessible while students arrived to take pictures. Working the event provided a great opportunity to meet VIPD officers and engage with the local community.

Directing traffic within the park

On Sunday, Ranger Laurencin took me out to Buck Island for an afternoon of swimming and snorkeling. Although I have been out to the island on patrol multiple times over the last few weeks, this was the first time I was able to get in the water to checkout the underwater trail and reef. The reef is one of the first marine protected areas in the Caribbean sea and the first marine protected area in the National Park system! The national monument protects a shallow 7,000-year-old bank barrier coral reef that is home to a host of aquatic life. While snorkeling, I was able to see elkhorn coral formations and various fish species.

Buck Island Reef National Monument 

Snorkeling the underwater trail system off Buck Island

After snorkeling, we docked on the south side of the island to explore the hiking trail and picnic areas. Over the last few months, a drought has prevented visitors from having any type of open flame on the island. However, recent rain showers have reduced the risk of wildfire and the flame ban is set to be lifted within the week. While on the island, I was surprised by the diversity of plant life, especially the variety of cacti.

South side of Buck Island

Hiking trail on Buck Island

Cacti

Fire ban on Buck Island