Quotes From the South: "Southerners smile more than up North..."

(Due to my Nth difficulty publishing my blogs with this device in a readable format- as you may have noticed over the past 10 weeks-  it was kindly brought to my attention that this blog, too, never published in the correct way. So here it  finally is, in the correct form, for your enjoyment long after the fact)

Here's to my last week at Fort Sumter!

I began the week out at the Fort, where I excitedly but somberly experienced my last flag raising ceremony. I flexed my EMT skills after an elderly man took a tumble by the cannons and scraped himself, leading to a few band aids, a friendly conversation and still-happy visitor by the end. 

Down at Liberty Square, some knock-off rose sellers have begun soliciting visitors at the entrance (for context, the Gullah Geechee in the area have a tradition of weaving beautiful baskets and decorations like roses, and sell them in specific and clear areas- not including liberty square). All it takes is sight of a marked vehicle and these salesmen scatter, so local PD and our rangers are sure to pass by throughout the day. 

I hit the jackpot this summer and was able to attend a meeting at FLETC Charleston (Super cool facilities including some impressive ships), to discuss joint operations and cooperation throughout a large portion of the Southeast. It's astounding to see so many different law enforcement and military units in one place- SeaHawk, Coast Guard, multiple County PDs, Homeland, DNR, etc. 

A news article came out this week highlighting our park's 'new' rule barring private boaters from docking on the fort or walking up from the sand bar. This sparked hundreds of angry facebook comments and a rally to "blockade!" the fort. To clarify, this rule has been in effect for about a year and had elicited almost no public outcry until this article. There was also the misconception in the media that the sandcar (which is indeed regularly visited by private boaters) is what was closing, which clearly contributed to a large amount of the public anger. The Park Service is no stranger to media attention (good or bad), so while administration has taken the time to communicate with concerned citizens and assure them that their enjoyment of the Fort won't be limited, law enforcement has been sure to focus on what's really important. Namely, the few people -often arising from the internet- who feed off of social media anger and will encourage more radical behavior, and possibly commit some themselves. 

I'm not great at goodbyes, so without acknowledging the end of the saga, I'll thank my amazing supervisor/ partner (in/against?) crime, and my brilliant coffee-enabling chief for making good on their promise to make the the "best summer ever". 

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Turtle Team

Turtle Team 

Although my time at Christiansted National Historic Site has come to an end, I wrapped up the summer with the resource management division and the turtle team. I spent the last few nights at Buck Island Reef National Monument working with the resource management division to conduct the annual turtle monitoring program. Each year, the resource management division monitors the nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles who come to Buck Island. The research helps determine the health of the endangered species and provides data into the number of nesting spots on the beach.

Nesting sea turtles emerge from the sea after the sun has set, which means that research occurs throughout the night! Each hour, two teams depart to walk the beach and check to see if any turtles have emerged. Lines are drawn in the sand to help indicate whether any turtles have crossed. If a turtle emerges from the sea, tracks are left in the sand.

Turtle Tracks in the Sand

Once on the beach, the nesting turtles search for an ideal location to make a nest. While the green sea turtles prefer wide open areas on the beach, hawksbill sea turtles prefer the more forested areas near the tree line. Sometimes, the turtles emerge from the sea to look for a nest and decide against nesting. This can be caused by any number of factors, including: obstacles that get in their way, sand conditions that aren't favorable, and unfamiliarity with the nesting process. However, once a turtle decides to nest, the resource management team springs into action. The process of building a nest and laying eggs last approximately 30-45 minutes and places the turtles into a trance which allows the resource management team to take measurements, pictures, and secure identification tags to the turtle's flippers.

Metal Tags Placed on Turtle Flippers

After the research is conducted and the turtle has laid her eggs in the egg chamber, the resource management team maps the nesting site to protect the site against human encroachment. Sixty days after the eggs are laid, hatchlings emerge from the nest and dash towards the sea. While in season, a mature female turtle can return to the beach every 12-14 days to lay. Each time a nest is made, roughly 150 eggs are deposited. Although the survival rate of the hatchlings is low, the work conducted by the turtle team ensures each hatchling has the best chance of survival.

Working with the turtle team was a lot of fun and gave me a newfound respect for the hardworking people in the resource management division. Protecting the resources entrusted to the National Park Service is a vital part of the mission, and I'm glad I was able to help out!

Turtle Team

Sunrise at Buck Island 

2019 Commemorative Presidential Visit

On July 30th, 2019, I had the opportunity to assist in protecting the President of the United States and Virginia legislative dignitaries. President Trump visited Jamestown, Virginia to give a speech regarding the 400th anniversary of the representative government in the United States of America. Legislative dignitaries of Virginia came to Jamestown Island to hold a general assembly meeting inside of Colonial Historical National Park’s “Jamestown Church” which is historically known for one of the oldest remnants of Colonial America. Many historical events took place in Jamestown Church including the marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe.

Ranger Bussell, Colonial National Historical Park 

Protecting legislative dignitaries did not only require National Park Service law enforcement, but many other law enforcement departments such as the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, United States Park Police, Virginia Capitol Police, Virginia State Police, Virginia Marine Police, Norfolk City Police, and James City County Police. Despite the many idiosyncrasies that each department holds, it was amazing to witness and participate in all of the departments involved working together for one goal. I was able to network and seek career advice with various employees in the National Park Service from all different parts of the United States. 

I gained familiarization on Incident Action Plan (IAP), Emergency Response Team (ERT), and physical security operations. As I close out my week with Colonial Historical National Park, I am fortunate to shadow under Park Rangers who gave me as much experience and knowledge as possible so that I can be best prepared for SLETP. I will forever be thankful for this experience.