Cabrillo National Monument VIP Newsletter |
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December 2021 Updates for VIPs |
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In this issue:
- 99th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting
- Safety and COVID-19 reminders
- Save the date: CABR Talks
- Save the date: SLOW training
- Partner Updates: CNMF, SAMO, Maritime Museum, Outdoor Outreach
- Museum of Us: Kumeyaay Cosmology Exhibit
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Do you spot a familiar face in this video?
Hint- wait for Adams National Historic Site
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In Case You Missed It: 99th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
This year's event was hosted by LL Cool J and featured Ranger Millie Jimenez along with performances and other special appearances from President's Park!
Interested in the history of this event?
Check out this timeline of this holiday tradition.
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In Fiscal year 2021, nearly 100,000 volunteers served 3.3 million hours across the NPS, for a value of more than $93 million! |
Thank you for submitting your hours! As a result of your reporting, we were able to submit our annual report to the national office in Washington D.C. Fiscal Year 2021 saw many VIPs back in service, and at national parks around the country volunteers on average served more hours than they did last year (35 hours v. 30 hours).
Most notably and unsurprisingly, many of you shared that COVID-19 continued to impact your ability to volunteer. We will continue to update you on changing guidance. For our volunteers who have not been able to return, we appreciate you and look forward to seeing you when you are comfortable returning.
Please continue your strong efforts in reporting your hours promptly, so we can ensure the proper representation of the impact the volunteer program at Cabrillo National Monument provides.
We are grateful for our passionate community of volunteers, thank you for all that you do for Cabrillo National Monument!
NPS Photos C. Aurrecoechea
Image 1- VIP Jack Ohmstead at the Kitchen Garden
Image 2- VIP Alan Torreto and Ranger Sandy Hernandez at the tidepools
Image 3- VIPs Karen Thurston and Mohamad Yassin on the Bayside Trail.
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National Parks are recruiting for the Community Volunteer Ambassador February 2022 Cohort! |
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Image Courtesy of Conservation Legacy |
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Do you know of a young adult interested in conservation and community organizing? Encourage them to apply to the Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) program through Conservation Legacy, where they will support the Volunteers-In-Parks program in park sites across the country.
For the February cohort, we are excited to have CVAs head to 58 different parks across the NPS. You can see the sites still recruiting in your region on the CVA website under ‘Open Positions.’
Unfortunately, Cabrillo National Monument was not selected for funding this year, but parks like Yosemite, Point Reyes, and Haleakala National Park have openings. Spread the word about open CVA positions to any young adults in your life who might be interested!
Preference will be given to applications received by December 17th.
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Put your skills to work as a Carpenter at Cabrillo National Monument!
We are seeking qualified applicants to join our team for the summer.
Some of the exciting projects that you could be a part of include:
- Trail rehabilitation
- Interior and exterior remodeling
- Historic preservation work
This position will close 12/13 or when 250 applications have been received (whichever comes first).
Please note that this position is temporary, and housing is not offered. Cost of living in San Diego is high; please consider this before applying.
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NPS Photo D. Johnson
Maintenance Worker Jamie Martinez sands tan colored wood
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The Cabrillo National Monument Resources Management Team is recruiting two PAID interns to set up a fog monitoring system. |
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Over the 11-week internship, the interns will set up, troubleshoot, and present preliminary findings from a new fog monitoring system at the park. Data collected will help the National Park Service to identify microclimates which promote success of drought-sensitive vegetation at the park.
Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students + US Citizens/Permanent Residents.
Troubleshooting, data management and science communication skills necessary.
You can apply to both positions!
NPS Photos L. A. Cat
Image 1: Fog hangs over coastal sage scrub
Image 2: Fog rolls in over the ocean as the sun dips below it.
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Important Safety Reminder |
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If you are on one of the volunteer teams who enters the park before 9 am, make sure the entrance gate poles are always secured in the holes in the road. Do not leave the gate pole resting on the asphalt where they can be pushed by the wind.
In response, our maintenance team improved the safety of the gate with reflective materials and moving the holes in the road.
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NPS Photo
The entrance station is quiet on a cloudy day.
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Masks are still required in federal buildings, by everyone - staff, partners, contractors, VIPs, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
Please be prepared to wear masks whenever you are inside any of the buildings at the park, including the Tidepool Trailer.
- People who are not fully vaccinated need to continue to physically distance consistent with CDC guidance.
- Park management will continue to monitor status and will relay changes in operations as guided accordingly.
Thank you to everyone for your actions to reduce the spread of the virus.
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Please reach out to the cabr_volunteers@nps.gov or your VIP Supervisors should you have any additional questions or concerns.
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Interpretation & Education |
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Naturalization Ceremonies continue throughout 2022!
The December Naturalization Ceremony will be December 21st until 12 pm.
Never volunteered at these ceremonies but would like to give it a try?
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🚨 Bird Nerd Alert! Calling all Bird Nerds!
Do you love looking at all the amazing birds around you? Have you ever been curious how to identify them or want to expand more on your identifying skills? Well, then Cabrillo has the perfect opportunity for you!
Every Thursday in December, we’re hosting a "Birding 101" walk that will help you learn how to identify birds and get to know some of the common ones around the park.
It starts at 3pm by the Visitor Center and ends at Whale Watch Overlook. The walk is approximately 1 hour long, and is accessible - feel free to pop in for any or all of it and ask us any questions you have about birds!
We'd recommend:
- Wearing comfortable walking shoes. 🥾👟
- Bringing binoculars. If you don’t have them we have some to share.
NPS Photo M. Lorenzo
California gnatcatcher and Spotted towhee cartoons drawn by CESAP Mayumi Lorenzo
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Save the Date: January 2022 CABR Talk with Patricia Simpson!
Tune in for the return of CABR Talks with a special on native plant gardening and greenhouse management with Patricia Simpson.
When? Friday, January 14th from 12-1pm
Where? Like all CABR Talks, it will be hosted on Zoom.
Stay tuned for more details and call sign on information.
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Patricia Simpson joyfully prepares soil for planting in the Greenhouse with the help of VIP Heidi Macbeth (off camera).
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Save the Date: SLOW training with Ranger Amanda!
As volunteers and/or staff, much of our time is spent preparing for positive and informative conversations with visitors, but preparing ourselves for difficult and emotional conversations is just as valuable.
Sometimes when confronted by a visitor who is angry or upset, it can feel like everything is happening all at once. If we could SLOW things down and understand what is happening, we may be able to de-escalate a tense conversation or encounter.
Join us for a training on the SLOW technique of de-escalation, where we will learn four tools to deploy if we ever find ourselves in a tense encounter.
This training is strongly encouraged for all VIPs.
When? Monday, January 17th, 9:30-10:30 am
Where? In person at the park, stay tuned for a more detailed invite and to RSVP!
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Ranger Amanda stands in the central spiral staircase of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Resource Management and Science Division at the Coast Trail leading to the tidepools. From Left: Pauline Geisler, Renee Heidelberg, Patricia Simpson, Lonie Brown, Dr. Linh Anh Cat and Dr. Lauren Pandori.
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Resource Management & Science |
The Resources team look forward to having two interns through the Scientists in Parks program for summer 2022 that will focus on deploying our new fog monitoring and weather station system at the park.
Fog is a valuable source of water for flora and fauna during the hot and dry summer months, but little is known about how often it occurs and how much water it brings.
Applications open the first week of December and interns will both receive a Direct Hire Authority which allows them to start in a Department of Interior position after graduation.
Find out more about each position and apply at the links above.
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The greenhouse crew has been very busy, from sowing new plants in our nursery to planting “grown ups” in the field.
Check out the new mound landscape by the bunker at Event Bluff and the cactus and succulent display by the visitor center.
New plants are also being added in front of the lighthouse to diversify the landscape for fire safety. Thank you all for your hard work!
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
A variety of native plants grow in the Greenhouse.
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The Results are In!
From the park's Marine Biologist Dr. Lauren Pandori:
The Cabrillo National Monument Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Report for 2020 is officially published! Feel free to check it out in the NPS data store:
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Gooseneck barnacles, Muscles, Chitons and more can be seen affixed to the rocky layers at the tidepools.
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Initial Takeaways from Soundscape Inventory completed earlier this year
- Noise that interferes with interpretative programs occurs about 2.5% of the day off Bayside Trail and just over 4% of the day in the coastal area.
- Loud noise at levels that cut off normal conversation are present at the same levels, day or night, off Bayside Trail. In the coastal area, this drops dramatically at night.
- 90% of the time, background noise/sound levels at the park are over 33-40 decibels (e.g., the same levels as leaves rustling or the average home noise).
- Noise associated with transportation is louder than sound associated with songbirds off Bayside Trail. This difference is less pronounced in the coastal area.
Many of us know these things from being at the park most days, but quantifying our soundscape will help the park with future projects to reduce human-caused noise where possible.
We’ll receive a final report in a year or two that separates out what is human-caused noise and what is natural sound.
NPS Photo
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Maintenance Worker Jamie Martinez helps remove debris from the tidepools.
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All seasonal maintenance staff have departed which signals the return to the 8 hour schedule for the remaining crew.
This means there will be no maintenance staff on the premises after 3:30pm.
Parking lot 3 in the Coastal Area has reopened. Visitors, staff, and VIPs can expect sporadic temporary closures for ongoing monitoring and work along the road.
Closures will occur mostly during the week, leaving the parking lot available for the weekend.
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CNMF News:
If you missed last month's Annual Meeting, watch the recording here!
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Join our friends at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO) and SAMO Fund this Thursday, December 16th at 12PM PT. Guest speaker is Don Morris, a retired NPS archaeologist. Don will discuss pygmy mammoths of the Channel Islands. He will discuss the history of research into pygmy mammoths, their origin during the Pleistocene, the presumed events that led to their extinction, and recent significant finds including the first complete skeleton.
Zoom sign on information has been updated after last month's technical issues. Save this new link for future sessions!
Meeting ID: 874 5751 1032
Passcode: 054881
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NPS Photo Bill Faulkner
The world’s most complete, intact pygmy mammoth skeleton was found and excavated on Santa Rosa in 1994. It was 5.5 feet tall and approximately 12,240 years old.
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Partner News: San Diego Maritime Museum |
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Tall Ship Sailor Training Program Starts January 2022 -...
Maritime Museum Of San Diego Announces Popular Tall Ship Sailor Training Program To Begin January 2022 Program spans centuries of tall ships and includes Museum fleet vessels Star of India, Californian, and San Salvador SAN DIEGO, CA - Maritime...
Read more
sdmaritime.org
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Partner News: Outdoor Outreach |
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Cabrillo National Monument's Intern Tatianna Butte shared her future goals with Outdoor Outreach, where she was a program graduate.
Watch this short video where her personality and passion shine brightly.
We are proud of her commitment to her community and openness to share her perspective.
It is without a doubt that her advocacy will help her to achieve her goals and we can't wait to see where this next adventure will take her.
Thank you Tatianna!
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New Exhibit at the Museum of Us! |
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Kumeyaay: Native Californians/Iipai-Tipai - Museum of Us
This ongoing exhibit is now open to the public.The Kumeyaay, or Diegueño (as they were later called by the Spanish), are the Native American people of present-day Southern California (San Diego and western Imperial Counties) and Northern Baja.
Read more
museumofus.org
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Remembering Pearl Harbor
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Today we remember and honor all who served during Pearl Harbor. Take some time to reflect on all of those who are buried at Fort Rosecrans. If you want to read more about Fort Rosecrans there are several documents ...
Read more
cnmvipvoice.org
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Don't Forget to Log Your Hours! |
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