Dry Tortugas

Junior Ranger National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Junior Ranger Program Welcome to the Park! Have you ever wondered where the name “Dry Tortugas” came from? Spanish Explorer Ponce de Leon discovered these islands in 1513 only 20 years after Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. Ponce de Leon was so impressed with the abundant wildlife in the area, that he named these islands “Las Tortugas” (Spanish for “the turtles”). There were large sea turtles everywhere! Years later, “Dry” was added to the name to warn people that fresh drinking water was scarce on these islands. A Special Place Dry Tortugas National Park is a special for many reasons. The 100-square-mile park contains: • • • • • • A pristine subtropical ecosystem including the third largest coral reef in the world Historic Fort Jefferson - one of the largest coastal forts ever built Important populations of wildlife, including fish, sea turtles, birds, coral, lobsters, and many others Some of our countries greatest submerged cultural resources, including more than 300 historic shipwrecks An important resting spot for migrating birds Two historic lighthouses How to Become a Junior Ranger It’s simple and fun! As you explore the park, fill out this handbook. When you are finished, bring it to the Bookstore. Who Am I? Connect the dots to find out. 14 15 19 12 20 16 13 17 21 18 11 22 24 23 10 9 28 7 25 8 29 5 6 1 2 4 *Hint: 27 26 3 As an adult, I weigh 300-500 pounds. Scavenger Hunt Bingo Dry Tortugas National Park is home to many different plants, animals, and important historic artifacts. Circle each item below that you find. Find five items in a line (up, down, across, or diagonally) to score a BINGO! Coral Crab Bakery Frigate Bird Dr. Mudd’s Cell Conch Tree Seagrass Jellyfish Bush Key Shark Shot Furnace Cannon Barracks Musket Barracuda Chapel Gull Snapper Sea Star Anemone Gunpowder Magazine Busy Crossroads The Dry Tortugas are located at a busy crossroads. Like an underwater highway, the Gulf Stream carries warm water, ships, and marine life by the Tortugas. • New York North America New Orleans Bahamas Dry Tortugas Cuba Yucatan Mark the Gulf Stream on your map by drawing a line from the Yucatan (in Mexico) to the Bahamas Large ships pass the Tortugas everyday. • Draw the shipping lanes from New York to the southern tip of Florida. Next, connect the southern tip of Florida with New Orleans The Tortugas are a welcome sight for migrating birds. • Connect North America with winter nesting areas in South America • South America Is YOUR home on this map? Letter Home Imagine yourself stationed at Fort Jefferson in 1864... How would you describe life at the Fort? November 1, 1864 Dear Family: I am working in the bakery at Fort Jefferson. A prisoner recently complained that our bread is a mixture of ____________ , ___________ , ___________ and ___________ . There are nearly 2,000 people living on this remote island. Importing enough fresh fruit and vegetables for so many people is very difficult. Many of us have painful bleeding gums caused by _______________. Getting enough drinking water is another serious problem. The fort has _________ cisterns that can hold ________________ gallons of water. Unfortunately many of these cisterns ________ allowing sea water to __________ in. Most of our drinking water is now ruined. The fort is surrounded by beautiful water and coral reefs. Fishing and swimming are our favorite hobbies. Coral is made of tiny living animals called polyps. We are very careful not to touch or stand on coral because it is very ________________ . Signed, Dry Tortugas National Park Junior Ranger Pledge: (your name) As a Junior Ranger, I ____________, promise to help protect Dry Tortugas National Park, my community, and the Earth by being an active and responsible steward of the environment. P Junior Ranger Signature AM T S Park Ranger Signature Cut along the dotted line to remove your certificate from the book. Dry Tortugas National Park Biscayne National Park Everglades National Park Big Cypress National Preserve