Indivual Placements

So, I have been very busy and have not had a chance to write. I started my individual placements (IPs) last week. It is tough getting use to job where I work from 8:30 to 4:30 everyday and have to drive 40 minutes to get there. So really, my work day starts at 7:45 and I don't get home until 5:15, 5:30. A long day, when you are use to days that start at 7:20 and end at 4:00. My IPs are both in Hyannis. I have two different placements. My first placements is with Barnstable Growth Management Development. In this placement, I am working on a Ways to Water project. I am trying to find different trails that are owned by the town and lead to water (i.e. ocean, bay, lake, or pond). Once I have identified ways to water that I believe are owned by the town, I verified that the town actually does own them. Then I do condition assessments on the pathways. The pathways are then prioritize based on safety needs and conditions. Eventually, I will then organized community service events to repair the pathways. It is a huge project. Currently, I spend 100% of my day on the computer: researching files, looking for deeds, updating files and spread sheets, and updating the Ways to Water map. Not my favorite thing to do, but important work.
My second placement, which is only on Wednesdays is with Barnstable Coastal Health Department. I love this placement. I am outside about 90% of the time. I am helping locate sources of water pollution and educating people on how to reduce water pollution. I am going to help make brochures to use to educate the public. Another project I am in change of is the Optical Brightener Project. Basically, this is a cheap way to test water for human pollution. You put cotton pads in the water for a week and then check to see if optical brighteners are presented. Optical brighteners are found in laundry detergent. It is an easy, simple way to pinpoint human pollutions. I have to help design the whole project. Today I was out on the water all morning locating places to place the collectors.
Overall life is going alright. I am busy and continue to miss home. But things are okay. Everyone in the house, amazing, are still getting along. Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks.

1) Measuring oysters to determine the legal length - 3 inches. If they were legal, we pulled them out of the cages. The oysters that are legal will be placed in public oysters beds for people to fish out.



2) All the oyster cages. You can see them because the tide is low. When the tide comes in all the cages are completely covered.

3) Measuring oysters.

4) Opening an oyster to eat. Fresh out of the ocean.

5) Tiger show at the Renaissance Festival.

6) We had our picture take with the king. LOL

7) A day at the office. :)