Colorado National Monument (CO)
Special Event: Rim Rock Run
On November 13th, 250 runners competed in the 12th annual Rim Rock Run 37k foot race at Colorado National Monument. Rim Rock Drive, the main road through the park, was limited to one-way traffic during the event, with vehicles utilizing one lane while the runners used the other. The event was managed under a unified incident command system in cooperation with the Mesa County Sheriffs Department, with monument ranger Bill Rodgers as IC. Commissioned rangers from Canyonlands National Park assisted with the successful management of the event. [Submitted by Ron Young, Chief Ranger]
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Human Remains Found
Rangers and Border Patrol agents twice came upon human remains during operations within the park last week. While tracking a group of suspected smugglers on November 12th, they found partial human remains along a well-established smuggling trail about four miles north of the border and seven miles east of Highway 85. A Pima County deputy was flown to the site to conduct the investigation. Two days later, Border Patrol agents working just north of the park's boundary on another drug smuggling case found human remains in an area used by recreational campers on BLM land a quarter mile west of Highway 85. Rangers assisted the agents in finding and apprehending the smugglers, then again called in a Pima County deputy to investigate. Neither investigation turned up any evidence of foul play. The victims are believed to have been illegal immigrants. [Submitted by Fred Patton, Chief Ranger]
Homestead National Monument of America (NE)
Suicide Attempt
On the evening of November 17th, the park's ranger was off-duty and driving down Highway 4 within the park when he was flagged down by a man at the roadside. The ranger elected to get his law enforcement equipment before offering assistance. When he returned to the scene, he saw a vehicle in a ditch and learned that it had been stolen. As he approached the car, the man who had flagged him down fled. The ranger called for assistance from county deputies and began searching for the man. He was finally found hiding in a shed in a nearby subdivision. Investigation revealed that he'd evidently attempted to commit suicide by ramming numerous objectives before driving the car into the ditch. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, and driving while his license was suspended. Other charges may be filed, pending completion of the investigation. The man is being held in a local mental health facility. [Submitted by Jackie Henman, Senior Staff Ranger, MWRO]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Interpretation/Education Division
Sue Fischer Named National Tilden Award Winner
On November 18th, exhibit specialist Sue Fischer was presented the Freeman Tilden Award at the National Association for Interpretation Workshop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for her creativity in planning, developing, and installing the new interpretive exhibits for Sunset Crater National Monument Visitor Center.
Sue demonstrated great creativity in leading the effort to replace the visitor center exhibits. She assumed responsibility for the project and remained intimately involved with every detail from conception to installation. She removed the old exhibits and replaced them with new engaging exhibits representing the multiple points of view of the scientific and American Indian communities.
The exhibits are designed to offer something for every educational level, learning style, and cultural background. An additional effort was made to tie the story of Sunset Crater Volcano to the other Flagstaff Monuments.
Sue's efforts included the creation of a partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona for design and fabrication and extensive involvement of the scientific community and affiliated tribes to balance scientific and cultural stories. Interactive demonstrations included state-of-the-art seismic monitoring equipment, visitor-operated computer links, and contemporary American Indian art. Sue's vision was the one constant throughout the project. Big stories were melted to their essence. The process was without ego, thanks to Sue Fischer's example. Her knowledge, interpretive talents, planning abilities, and human relations skills resulted in new exhibits that are unique, inclusive, and compelling.
The Freeman Tilden Award is an Annual Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the public through interpretation by a National Park Service employee. Freeman Tilden provided a philosophical basis for interpretation in his book Interpreting Our Heritage. Nominees for this award are judged upon their creativity, originality, and positive contributions to enhancing the public's understanding of the National Park system and the resources it protects.
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.