Green DC; an entry for Chelsie

Chelsie, myself, and Kelsey

This summer I found myself employed as a park ranger with two of the most fun girls I’ve ever met, Chelsie and Kelsey. Both were quirky and hysterical, and made the dullness of working for the Federal Government a little more manageable.  Each of us came from different backgrounds and had different kinds of “expertise” on the natural world. Chelsie was the plant expert.

I once caught Chelsie smelling a tree – I know, bizarre. Another time, she gave Kelsey, myself, and a concerned pond owner a lecture on the reproductive process of duck-weed. Chelsie seemed to know the name of every plant, where it came from, and what its purpose in nature was. I’m convinced that she may just be one of the smartest people I know.

And so when Chelsie asked me to wander through the Smithsonian gardens, I of course obliged because I knew she would love hearing about it. And besides that, the transition from the Shawnee National forest to DC was starting to make me miss seeing green things, hummingbirds, and flowers.

Last weekend I visited the Smithsonian Gardens on the South side of the Mall, as well as the Botanical Garden. I did not visit the “Victory and Heirloom” garden (maybe another time) or the butterfly garden (because it charges admission, and honestly, I’m just not the kind of person who pays to see butterflies).

First off was the Enid Haupt garden behind the Smithsonian Castle, which is made to appear as a rooftop garden. There I met a nice guard named Salaam, who offered to take my picture in the garden, quizzed me on where I was from, got really excited when I said rural Illinois, and then wanted me to tell him what the agricultural solution to feeding the world was. Oh gosh, and here I was just wanting to have a relaxing afternoon in a garden, but  I guess it’s true what they say, you just can’t escape politics in DC.

My new guard friend Salaam took this.

As I walked to the Botanical Gardens I paused at the Rose Garden and found this cute hybrid. I forget what it’s called. Sorry Chelsie.

Then the Mary Livingston Ripley garden, which was lovely.

And finally the National Botanical Garden. Chelsie, you would have died. It’s  a total plant lover’s paradise. You name it, they’ve got it. Because I had gotten sidetracked at the Air and Space Museum along the way (I TOUCHED A MOON ROCK!) I didn’t have a lot of time so I had to rush through, which was difficult for me because I wanted to see everything, touch everything, smell everything, and snatch little pieces of basil (did you know real, legitimate, hardy basil looks more like a little tree than a wimpy plant? I didn’t. I was geeking out. I’m a little obsessed with the stuff.), lavender, etc. along the way.  But I resisted and didn’t pick a single thing.  I can’t decide what I loved best. Maybe it was the outdoor regional garden with plants native to the Mid Atlantic. Maybe it was the exotic orchid garden. Maybe it was the little kids “playing house” in the mini-cottage with a green-roof. Maybe it was the multi-level jungle room. Maybe it was the cantankerous old man in the motorized scooter who couldn’t resist touching the cacti, was so surprised when he pricked his fingers, and continually asked me “Where’s the plant that makes tequila?”

Each mini climate room was its own adventure. I’m looking forward to going back to one of those balmy rooms and plopping down on a bench with a book some cold day this fall. Maybe Michael Pollan’s “Botany of Desire,” a book about plants which was recommended to me by, of course, Chelsie. Oh and Chelsie, guess what? The Smithsonian Gardens has an internship program

Yes, that is a tree frog on her shirt. These things happen when you are a park ranger.

Gardens on the National Mall

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

What’s in a map?

Being a geographer, as many know, deals largely with reading and making maps. Maps are universal and can be understood by almost everyone. Gilbert H. Grosvenor, the first editor of NGM, felt that, “A map is the greatest of all epic poems. It’s lines and colors show the realization of great dreams.”

On Friday I had the privilege to tour the NGS Maps Department. The tour was led by Juan Valdes, followed by a lecture. Recently, Juan’s team finished a wall map of Cuba, the first of it’s kind since 1906. Many people believe we have run out of places to explore and areas to map. Juan’s work shows that there is still adventure to be had in cartography. “Just about every place has been mapped,” he admits, “it’s the level of detail that is the issue.” As he showed us the maps he has worked on, we saw just how intensive those details can be.

Juan showed us his map of Cuba (a great article on the significance of this map to Juan, a native of Cuba, can be seen here) as well as a map of Ireland. Both were tricky maps to make due to issues of data availability and language. A “short” project lasts 5 months. These maps took about a year. The steps in the production process are many, and just when the map seems finished, it’s, well, not. What would seem like a perfectly fine map to you or I has to be torn apart, checked and triple checked. After the GIS layers are arranged together and design elements are added, missing channels and reservoirs are found. Boundaries are “off,” deliniation and place names are verified with country administration, spelling is checked multiple times, roads and railways are verified with public transportation routes, letter accents are verified, bathometrics (ocean depth along the shore)  from multiple sources are analized, etc. And then it’s done all over again.

NGS updates their world maps every three months. Juan’s team checks wire services daily and even make calls to embassies around the world to monitor political  changes in place names and boundary ownership. He’s vague yet immodest concerning where all of this information comes from, saying simply, “We’re well connected…  to be a cartographer, you have to know a little bit about everything.”

As children in elementary school, we are taught that all maps fall into a handful of categories: political (showing place names and human-made boundaries), physical (showing surface characteristics like mountains, rivers, etc.) or topographic (land elevation). What we are finding now, however, is that every map is in fact, by nature, political in some way. Any toponym (geographical name), boundary line, even color choice is man-made, and reflects ownership. The politics concerning land ownership are always changing. Just this summer we saw a new country take form, South Sudan. Soon, Libya’s boundaries could shift as well. Juan tells us a story of a small island in the South Pacific, claimed by two countries, that was swallowed up by the sea after a Tsunami, “solving the problem” of how to label it. And so maps change. But “maps, like history,” Juan claims, “have a pattern of repeating themselves.”

life in the bat cave: meet the interns

Sometime before we Fall Geography interns had even applied, the office we have set up residence in was dubbed “The Intern Cave.”  Being the incredibly mature, professional individuals that we are, we assumed that, naturally, decorating our office to fit this “cave theme” was entirely appropriate. When Julia, a fellow intern, saw some plastic bats at CVS, she took the idea and ran with it. And so on Tuesday we found ourselves hanging toy bats from the entrance and shelves. All in a day’s work. Other decorations included Christmas lights (a must) and a brand-spankin’ new coffee pot. It made our day.

This week I attended a web research class, a History of National Geographic class, edited an online directory, and fact-checked glossary terms that  appear on the Education website. To most the work probably sounds tedious. But I’m a logophile (ha!) and I like the challenge of figuring out if something is true or not, so I’m enjoying it.

Meet The [Education] Interns:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Julia- Kansas University grad. She’s working on the My Wonderful World Blog and other NGS social media. Her background is social geography and GIS.

 Dani – She’s working towards a Geography Education degree at the University of Northern Colorado. Lately, Dani spends her time working on the Big Cats Initiative.

Chari- Chari is a Florida International University at Miami grad. This week she’s been super busy doing photo research for the mapping department of NG Education. This semester she will also work on Geography Awareness Week campaigns.

Yours Truly- You know me. I learn for a living. And make the website a teeny tiny bit better day by day.

Oh and then there’s Ben! Ben ruined our all-girl mojo, and he’s a non-geography intern, but we still accept him. He hails from Boston and is working on the DC Geographic Alliance, another branch of NG Education.

capital tourister

I look at my map less these days, flit back and forth between DC and VA like a pro, and can sleep through the sirens (usually) but I’m still a tourist, and I expect I will be the entire time I’m here.

Last weekend I visited my second urban market, the first being Soulard in St. Louis. The Eastern Market is a few blocks east of the Capitol Building and home to farms stands, indoor and outdoor food vendors, craft merchants, and a flea market. I made a mental note to return to the antique map vendor, munched on a canole, and bought some nifty earrings. I got a sandwich at Marvelous Market (because my “Free and Dirt Cheap Washington DC” book told me to), and ate lunch sitting in front of the Capitol Building. Not a bad view for a picnic.

It’s hard to see museums after work so I tried to visit some on Saturday. I visited the Natural History Museum, which was fine, but I got a bit bored. One of the things I appreciate about DC is that most of the attractions are National Parks and free to the public. That way, you don’t feel pressured to rush through and see everything to get your money’s worth. If you get bored or tired you can just leave and come back another day. It’s a nice luxury.

I only had time for one exhibit at the National History Museum so I strolled through the collection of dresses of the First Ladies. It was a really neat exhibit. They had everything from one of Martha Washington’s dresses to Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Ball Gown.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

NatGeo entertainment: “Life in a Day” film

It’s still raining in DC, as it has been off and on since Monday afternoon. The entire East Coast has been drenched in rain this past week. I think a fellow intern from New Mexico is experiencing culture shock.

Last night myself and a few of the other interns walked down the street to the West End Cinema after work and saw Life in a Day. The film was made in partnership with YouTube and LG, produced by Scott Free Productions (Ridley Scott) and distributed by National Geographic. The film was made entirely of clips sent in to the YouTube sponsored production site of the lives of amateur and professional videoographers from around the world of their lives on a single day, July 24 2010. Apparently, this concept is called “crowdsourced.” I had wanted to see the film since I saw it advertised in National Geographic Magazine this spring but couldn’t find it at a theatre near me in Illinois. I knew that working at NGS headquarters would provide me with an opportunity to see it.

This film was, without a doubt, the most beautiful movie I’ve ever seen, and certainly in my top 5 favorites. The compilation of clips and chronology of various story lines takes you through every human emotion. You find yourself mourning, celebrating, laughing, and hurting with each of the “characters” of the clip. The film contrasts geographical differences while also reminding you that the basic wants, needs, and fears of humans are the same throughout the world. At the end of the film, you feel as though you have really experience a day on Earth, from every aspect. Another thing I appreciated about the film was that it was politically neutral: the directors showed the truths of the world without expressing an opinion on them. It was very well done; visually stimulating and never boring. I definitely suggest this movie to everyone! Anyone could relate to and pull inspiration from this film. I’m looking forward to its release onto DVD.

day in the life of an intern

My morning commute, via 2 blocks of walking and 1 bus ride, is about a half an hour. Unless I make the rookie mistake of getting on the double-bus (not a technical term, I made it up. Basically a bus with a bus attached to the back of it), which is painfully slow. Which I may or may not have done this morning.

Our schedules are pretty flexible. As long as we work 40 hours a week, attend all of our meetings and work hard, our supervisors don’t have any strict rules concerning clocking in and out. I try to arrive at 8:30 and leave between 5 and 6p, depending on the amount of work I’ve gotten done/how long lunch was.

I share an office with three other interns, all females. Each of us are in the Education Division, working on different projects.

This morning we had an intern breakfast in the Hubbard Room of the 16th St. Building. The lounge is named after the first president of NGS. I love this room because the walls are covered with great photos of past National Geographic Explorers including Jim Whittaker, first American to climb Mt. Everest and founder of the NGS Geography Internship, and Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard. We introduced ourselves to the staff in the Education Division. I’m the first intern to represent SIUC at NatGeo so I drop our name all over the place

I went back to work for an hour, learned how to use Dropbox and how to upload content to the website editing site, and by then it was lunchtime. On the first Wednesday of each month, the Education Division holds “Brown Bag Lunches” where we gather together and one or two staff members discusses their travels or current projects with NGS.  Today I watched a photo presentation of an employee who went to Svarlbard and another who went Saudi Arabia on NGS business. I love that in the middle of my working day I can be learning about polar-bears, Arabic photo-taking philosophy, etc. One of my favorite things about this job is how strongly self-education in encouraged.

In the afternoon, I took a library orientation class which is required to receive a barcode for the NGS research library. The library offers research courses throughout the fall, as well as a History of National Geographic class, both of which I intend to look in to.

My last event of the day was to attend a lecture  on the Green Sahara by Explorer-in-Residence Paul Sereno. Sereno showed vivid photos of a human burial he found in the Sahara Desert which spans a 3,000 year time period. A good overview of his talk can be found at the links above. As interns we are encouraged to attend both public and staff lectures series.

My tasks for tomorrow will be to meet with Ed. Online GIS/mapping guy and to attend a photo research class. I’m a little intimidated to tackle GIS because I’m one of those weird geographers that doesn’t like it. I’m not a huge fan of making maps, mostly because I’m not too good at it. But then again, I know more about map making than I do website making, so maybe that gives me a leg up.

“Under The Stars” Day One

Where to begin?

On Tuesday I met the other eight interns, as well as our advisors Bob Dulli and Karen Gibbs. We talked casually and introduced ourselves, as well as giving our “how I got here” stories.  Later, we were given a tour of the oldest building (which faces 16th Street), which houses such amazing artifacts as the National Geographic Centennial Award, and the original wooden table around which the original National Geographic Society members sat in 1888 when the Society was founded. It was beyond inspiring to see the portraits of the current NGS Board members, as well as past presidents of the society (including first US telephone patent recipient Alexander Graham Bell). Our guide and helper for the day, Tatiana, was an excellent and enthusiastic host. Her pride for the Society, its history and buildings, was contagious.

Dome of stars, view from the 2nd floor

The facility its self seems to reflect the values of the National Geographic Society. The facility is detailed, impressive, massive, and committed to conserving natural resources. The M Street building, where I will be working, is LEED Certified Gold, and carbon neutral. There are composting waste bins in the restrooms and staff cafeteria (which serves some regional produce),  the entire facility recycles, and there are incentives for using public transportation (as opposed to driving your own car). I was fascinated by the details in the design of the M Street building as well. From a distance, the building resembles a Mayan temple. Inside the lobby of the building, there is a dome of lit stars two stories above you which was created to mimic what the night sky in January, 1888 in Washington, D.C. would look like; the time the Society was founded.  It’s quite common to hear “meet me under the stars” when planning get-togethers and meetings. The facility includes a post office, printing and framing office, employee “free-cycling” system, medical department, gym, public store, museum, cafeteria, staff research library, and auditorium.

After our tour of the facility, we met our supervisors.  My supervisor Nina was in my shoes as an intern two years ago. It’s nice to experience both her fresh perspective and the veteraned wisdom of Bob and Karen. This semester, I will be working on the NGS Education website, which is still in its infancy. The “Online Team” is still working out kinks of functionality and content. My principal tasks this semester will include uploading content (articles, photos, maps, encyclopedia terms, etc.), researching potential new content, helping with map creation, and helping Nina manage the landing page. The website is designed to be used by social science teachers, students, families, and independent educators. The website contains a wide variety of curriculum aids such as maps and worksheets, user-friendly multimedia such as video clips and photos, and interactive activities like a map-builder and quizzes.  I love all forms of education and have several friends and family members that are teachers, so it’s really exciting to be working on something that can enrich their curriculum and make their lives a little easier.

As I’m writing this post, I find it so difficult to filter what I want to include. So much happened on Tuesday! It’s difficult to prioritize what I include when I’m excited about everything. More so now than before I am looking forward to seeing what this semester brings. I know that working on the Online Team will equip me with new skill sets (oh, also, this PC girl has to learn to use a MacBook…I was hesitant at first, but I’m coming around!).

It is such a privilege and blessing to be able to work here.

Stay tuned for a “day in the life” post of my first working day.

a farm girl feels at home

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This morning something perfect happened. I set out from my house with two goals: to find coffee, to learn the Metro. As I was getting ready this morning, I heard my neighbors out the window talking about going to the Farmer’s Market. Finding a regional produce option here in the city is important to me, as I try to eat locally from small farmers  as often as possible. But the idea of finding something rural in the midst of the busyness of DC seemed awfully daunting this morning, as does nearly any task before I’ve had my morning Joe.

So I set out walking in search of caffeine. I started noticing people walking past me with melons, artisan bread, and sacks of peaches. I decided to diverge my route in search of a market. No such luck. I gave up, and headed back towards the intersection of 14 and Park RD NW where I knew a cafe to be. And there it was, a bustling Farmer’s Market! I couldn’t believe my luck. I had come completely ill-prepared, with no cash and no shopping bags, but I was delighted to be there. The stands seemed vibrant and healthy. Most of the farmers were from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Goat cheese from Spriggs Delight Farm in Sharpsburg, MD, “hurricane tomatoes”, end of the season peaches, organic lettuce and herbs, french breads and pastries from completely organic Bonaparte Breads in Savage, MD (I purchased a chocolate croissant and walnut-apricot bread), and fresh cut flowers were all available.

I was trying to decide which stand to buy lettuce and fruit from when a man in a worked-in teeshirt offered me a peach, and then started “educating” patrons on the evils of the agricultural practices of  Chiquita bananas. I was sold.

For lunch I had a leftover half of a sandwhich from the Mt. V Inn, garnished with Amish cheese, Mt. V basil, and Maryland lettuce, avec un croissant chocolat from the market. It was the perfect miss-matched, regional meal.

As I sat listening to the folk band and watching toddlers dance, munching on my peach, I felt happy and blessed and the beginning of a sense of community.

To really top off the morning? A folk band at the market played me one of my favorite songs, “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show. Good day.

Beyond DC: Washington’s Mt. Vernon

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

On Friday Dad and I traveled to Alexandria, VA to visit President Washington’s home on the Potomac, Mt. Vernon. The site is owned and maintained by the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association, a private nonprofit organization which is the oldest of its kind in the U.S. I was extremely impressed by the facilities. I think the privatization of the estate lends to a higher caliber of  upkeep, as well as a certain freedom in the way education mediums are presented there. I noticed right away that unlike any of the National Park sites I visited on Thursday, the Washington estate recycles! This may seem like a small feat, but I have been continually disappointed in the lack of sustainable infrastructure and practices at U.S. Government owned parks during this trip as well as in previous employment as a USACE Park Ranger. So there’s my qualm, and I’m off my soap-box.

Most of the above pictures are of Washington’s vegetable garden because that’s what I found most appealing. The mansion its self was lovely, and I was surprised to learn that about 40% of the furniture and 60% of the artwork was original to the Washingtons. I was able to hold on to a Black Walnut banister as I ascended the mansion steps, which is the exact same banister that Washington had installed when he made renovations to the house. What a unique opportunity!

For lunch, Dad and I visited the Mt. Vernon Inn and Restaurant. We had heard good reviews of their Peanut and Chesnut Soup, so that was the first thing I tried. It was excellent! My souvenir of the day was a basil plant bought at the garden which I planted in a mug which had the soup recipe painted on it (I’m not a huge souvenir purchaser, but when I do, I like them to be practical). I intend to try out the recipe this winter. The Inn uses fresh produce from the Mt. V plantation seasonally, and serves the best sparkling cider I’ve ever had.

I definitely want to return to Mt. Vernon someday, possibly when I have children. Unlike other historic sites I have visited this week, children at Mt. Vernon really seemed to be enjoying themselves. I believe this is partly due to the mythical, invincible qualities the Founding Fathers are given to us in grade-school, as well as the wide variety of activities available at Mt. Vernon.  Visitors can watch farmers in colonial garb thrash wheat, harvest vegetables from the working plantation, tend the gardens, and do interpretive reenactments of historic figures. Kids can run and play through the orchard when they get restless, and walk through slave quarters, barns, and watch a real blacksmith at work.  It was a quite enjoyable day.