02-631
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Special Event: Annual Ceremony at Nation's Christmas Tree
On the afternoon of December 8, approximately 700 people attended the
77th annual celebration of the two honors held by the General Grant
Tree, the world's third largest giant sequoia. The hour-long special
event is organized by the Sanger Chamber of Commerce and includes the
singing of seasonal carols by local choral groups and a seasonal message
from a local pastor. Two members of the Kings Canyon National Park
staff, rangers Jackie Weiner and Kinsey Shilling, laid a large memorial
wreath at the base of the tree during the ceremony to remember those
Americans who have died serving their country. Shilling, the district
ranger for Kings Canyon, also acted for the superintendent by welcoming
the participants to the park and reading a letter from President Bush.
Local TV and newspaper outlets covered the event. The weather conditions
were mild and dry with no snow on the ground. The event went smoothly
with no accidents or significant medical assists. Approximately 23 park
staff from different divisions and from both parks were assigned to the
event. The General Grant Tree was designated as the "Nation's Christmas
Tree" by President Calvin Coolidge in 1926, largely due to the efforts
of the citizens of Sanger. The tree was proclaimed a national shrine in
1956 by President Eisenhower and is the nation's only living shrine.
This event takes place every year on the second Sunday of December.
[Submitted by Kris Fister, PIO, and Bob Wilson, LES]
02-632
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Poaching; Weapons Possession Indictment
On November 18, a federal grand jury in Casper, Wyoming, indicted
S.S.W. on felony charges of being a convicted felon in
possession of a firearm (18 YSC 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)). The indictment
stemmed from an investigation into elk poaching conducted this fall by
park special agents and rangers from the Lake District. Officers and
investigators from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Teton County
Sheriff's Department provided substantial assistance, but Lake District
rangers did much of the extensive investigative work that ultimately
lead to putting the case together. Conviction on these charges carries a
mandatory ten-year jail sentence.
[Submitted by Brian Smith,
Supervisory Special Agent]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Fire and Aviation Management
ESPN2 Covers Prescribed Burn at Grand Teton National Park
The park's Timbered Island North Prescribed Burn was recently featured on ESPN2's series "Inside America's National Parks." From October through December 2002, the series airs on Saturday mornings and follows host Steve Porino through outdoor experiences in America's national parks.
While filming a fishing excursion on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park for the November 30th program, the crew saw smoke from the 285-acre prescribed burn and drove to the site to obtain footage. The park's fire information officer met the crew and provided personal protective equipment for Porino and a cameraman, allowing them to be escorted to the perimeter of the burn to conduct interviews and obtain information about the project.
Several minutes of the half-hour show focused on the prescribed burn, and the coverage highlighted the importance of fire's role in the ecosystem. An overview of the project's objectives described positive outcomes that can be achieved through the reintroduction of fire. ESPN2 was launched in October 1993 and reaches 70 million U.S. households. With such a large national audience, the program presented an impromptu and valuable opportunity to spotlight the benefits of prescribed fire.
[Submitted by Lori Iverson, lori_iverson@nps.gov, 307-739-3667]
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.