Cabrillo National Monument VIP Newsletter | |
January 2023 Updates for VIPs | |
Don't Forget to Log Your Hours! | |
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NEW PILOT PROGRAM: January to March Extended Hours Temporarily Postponed
Cabrillo National Monument will be piloting a new extended hours schedule for January through March, instead of during the summertime. The park will continue to open at 9:00am, as only closing time will change.
From mid-January to March 11th, the park will close at the following times:
- Upper Monument/Lighthouse: 6pm
- Bayside Trail: 5:00pm
- Tidepools/Coastal Trail: 30 minutes before sunset
We wish to keep visitors, volunteers and staff members safe, so the park's tidepool area will still be closed before dark—half an hour before sunset. These changes that are coming will hopefully help with efficiency, public enjoyment of extended hours, and reducing situations for negative encounters between the public and staff/volunteers.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is currently being created on these new extended hours. With it, a start date for this new pilot program will also be announced. We want VIPs stay in the loop about park operations, so we will share more details as soon as they become available. Thank you for your patience while we roll that out.
This change will hopefully be a step forward for Cabrillo National Monument—we aim to make it better for all. Still, as we make these adjustments, please reach out to your VIP supervisor or cabr_volunteers@nps.gov if you have any questions, observations, or concerns.
We are here to help!
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NPS | C. Aurrecoechea
A fiery sunset, with the sky painted with an orange-red haze. The ocean and clouds are a deep lavender blue. Out of focus, in the foreground, are tall grasses.
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- Feature Story: Extended Hours Pilot Program
- VIP Spotlight: Luke Brownell
- Volunteer Navigation Committee Updates
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- Partner News: CNMF's Stargazing Event Needs VIPs!
- Did You Know?
- Continued Education Opportunities for VIPs. So. Many. Opportunities!
- On the VIP Voice: Talking Turtles Speaker Series, Volunteer Opportunities
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VIP Spotlight:
Luke Brownell
As shared by VIP Samantha Wynns, "VIP Luke Brownell is a high school student who has a passion for wildlife and science. Luke was scouted for the Science Explorer's Club (SEC) by another SEC volunteer, Brooke Wilder, at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance where Luke engages the public about conservation. Brooke felt like the SEC would be a perfect fit for Luke - and she was right!
Luke has been spending his weekends sharing his knowledge and engaging the public about the natural resources and science of the park. Thank you for doing an outstanding job, Luke!"
Luke is a super enthusiastic and friendly member of our VIP team here at Cabrillo National Monument. He has really helped teach visitors about the science behind our park, and why conservation is so important, and we can't thank him enough!
Thank you to VIP Science Explorer's Club Supervisor Samantha Wynns for this month's thoughtful nomination. Send in future nominations to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov
Thank you, Luke Brownell, for your continued dedication to Cabrillo National Monument! Luke volunteers at Cabrillo National Monument in SEC and roving.
(Above) NPS Photo | H. Marquez
VIP Luke smiling. In front of him is the SEC cart with the ornithology display of bird skeletons.
(Below) NPS Photo | H. Marquez
VIP Luke, at the left behind the SEC cart, engaging three visitors in conversation.
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How Did We Shine? Kudos
During such a busy winter season, we’d like to give kudos for the amazing people that have helped us stay afloat:
For VIP Brian: "Brian is a great ambassador for Cabrillo as a volunteer. He consistently is roving the Coastal Trail on Saturdays. His calm demeanor, ability to easily communicate with visitors, and overall helpfulness on whatever needs to be done to help the park is a joy.
The tidepool area is well protected thanks to the dependability and dedication that Brian brings to the program. I'm pleased to know him and proud to volunteer alongside him."
For VIPs Virginia, John, and Keith: "All of you are amazing! Weed Warriors, and our park's ecosystem, benefits so much from your dedication during these chilly winter sessions. All of your cheer brightens our day too!"
Thank you, VIP Dan and CVA Hannah, for the kudos to some of the VIPs of our Cabrillo family.
Here are some "How Did We Shine?" we have received recently– visitors had some kudos to share too!
For VIP Gary: "We went to the trail with Gary, great guy, excellent guide! Thanks." AND "Fantastic! Very knowledgeable, we had a blast talking with him. Thank you!"
For VIP Sylvia: "She kindly told us about the snake and the airplane field. Thank you for making us feel so welcome!"
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Let's keep it going! Thinking of a fellow volunteer who deserves to be celebrated? Send us your kudos and spotlights to the link below, so we can share them in the next newsletter, and celebrate each other together! | |
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NPS Photo | C. Aurrecoechea
PClose-up of bright green sweat bee on a bright yellow California Sunflower.
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Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC) Updates
Our next VNC meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 4th at 9am in the Cabrillo National Monument Auditorium. Virtual link HERE. An email will be sent the week of to confirm meeting for February.
Thank you for everyone who joined this month's special VNC meeting, which included whale watching training. We had a great turn out and loads of fun!
All volunteers are welcome to join in on VNC meetings! You can RSVP by signing up on Volgistics for the next meeting. Never attended a VNC meeting but would like to give it a try? Email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov so we ensure you are able to sign up on Volgistics.
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So, why would you need a committee run by volunteers—isn’t that just one more thing to add to your already full to-do list, and yet another meeting to attend?
The Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC) is so much more than just another committee and another meeting. The VNC provides volunteers with a voice in the decision-making processes related to the VIP program at CNM. Join us at the next meeting!
NPS Photo (top) | Seven smiling volunteers take a selfie in front of the Assistant Keeper's Quarters.
NPS Photo (bottom) | S. Hernandez | Volunteers gather at last VNC meeting for Whale Watching training with Ranger Amanda. They stand at Whale Watch Overlook with binoculars spotting for whales.
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Covid-19 Reminder
San Diego County recently from moved Low Community Level, to Moderate. Should the County move into High Community Spread, that will trigger that masks must be worn in all federal buildings (public and staff).
- Park administrators will monitor and relay to staff and volunteers.
- Portable Signs relaying “masks required” will once again be placed in front of each entry door (including Visitor Center).
- Masks will be made available to the public at the Visitor Center.
- Masks would need to be worn by staff and volunteers indoors, except when someone is in a room by themselves.
| Stock Image | Graphic art of many people, of different ages and backgrounds, standing side by side. The one in the center holds a broad leafy plant. | | | |
Watch Your Speed, Please
Please remember to be mindful of your driving speed upon arriving at Cabrillo. It's okay to be late for a shift! Your safety, that of those around you, and our precious resources are our number one priority. Please watch the speed limit.
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Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers (IEV) | |
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Happy New Year's to all of our amazing VIPs! We look forward to greeting newcomers, welcoming back returners, and seeing what you all will accomplish in 2023.
A huge thank you to all VIPs who attended the 2022 Winter Potluck! You shared your amazing recipes you made, or your favorites treats you bought, and it was delicious! We were even lucky enough to spot our first whales of the season from Upper Maintenance.
Also, there is a new staffing update: Please join us in welcoming Cyrus Forman to the CABR team, as Acting Program Manager (Chief) of Interpretation, Education, Volunteers! Cyrus will be at Cabrillo from January 17 through mid-April. Cyrus currently works at San Juan Island National Historical Park where he serves as the Lead Park Ranger. He brings broad experience (and a strong history interest) and has also worked at the Manhattan Project National Historic Park, African Burial Ground National Monument, Lava Beds and Tule Lake National Monuments, and in NE regional office.
NPS Photo | S. Hernandez (above)
Vetical angle of Cabrillo National Monument's Winter Potluck, with a counter full of hearty foods. In a line, both volunteers and staff help themselves and fill their plates.
NPS Photo | H. Marquez (below)
Diagonal angle of Cabrillo National Monument's Winter Potluck, with the table full of hearty and dessert dishes. Rangers, volunteers, and other staff surround the table.
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Naturalization Ceremonies
The first Naturalization Ceremony of 2023 will be Tuesday, January 24th. Please sign up if you are available, as we need VIPs!
Never volunteered at these ceremonies but would like to give it a try?
Email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov so we can provide more details and ensure you are able to sign up!
Thank you for your continued commitment and support with the Naturalization Ceremonies!
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NPS Photo | VIP Kim
Trees frame the image of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse's lens and lantern in the distance. The historical 38-star flag also waves in the frame.
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Resources Management & Science | |
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The Resources Team thanks VIPs for their stewardship of the coastal area in 2022 and early 2023!
Major projects include revegetation of the stairs and Spur Trail areas, removal of non-native plants along the corridor and into the vegetation, and visitor education in the tidepools.
May 2023 bring more joy and time outside enjoying CABR!
NPS Photo | C. Aurrecoechea
Red and green Woolly Indian Paintbrush in bloom.
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Greenhouse
Change of schedule: the greenhouse will be meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11am starting Monday 1/9. The rain has been fantastic! In order to stay warm and dry, the crew met at my house and did some seed cleaning, Mission Manzanita (Xilococcus bicolor). The berries are called "stones" and for good reasons. They are hard as a rock and require tools and muscles to break. We carefully extracted a number of seeds from the stones and after an overnight soak in a mix of hydrogen peroxide and fungicide, they will be sown and placed into our 55-degree fridge for stratification. Hopefully, we'll have beautiful babies soon!
At the greenhouse, we finally finished building the grow tables and are jumping right into the next project: replacing the weed blocking panels, which were old and ripped quite a bit when the new shed was installed.
Finally, a special thank you to the planting team who braved the graded terrain of the spur trail last Thursday to install 143 plants! This was not easy work, but the trail very much needed some vegetation update both to control erosion and shield the trail from those pesky weeds that are difficult to remove from those slopes. Mother nature has been a great help with providing the watering for a few days! Hooray! This will give us a hiatus from watering our sites until next month (unless we get more rain still, wouldn't that be nice). I also want to thank all of you who are helped to grow and nurture all the babies we installed. This is really a team effort from seed collection, sowing to transplanting, weeding, watering and cleaning! Bravo everyone. We couldn’t do it without you!
NPS Photo | P. Simpson
Volunteer Gene planting on the Spur trail found in Cabrillo's coastal area.
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Visitor and Resource Protection | |
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Entrance Station
Visitors have a lot of questions about entrance passes! VIPs, if you're new or not sure, here's a quick refresher on what's available at our Entrance Station:
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Cabrillo National Monument Annual Pass: $35 and valid for 12 months from purchase. Admits pass owner and passengers in a private car OR the pass owner and three others on foot or bike.
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America the Beautiful Pass: $80 and valid for 12 months from purchase. Covers national parks and other federal fee areas.
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Annual Pass for US Military: Free and valid for 12 months from month issued FOR all active US military personnel and their dependents. Proper identification required, read here for more details.
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Lifetime Veterans Pass: Free lifetime admission for US military veterans and Gold Star families. Proper identification required, read here for more details.
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Access Pass: Free lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
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Senior Passes: Annual or lifetime admission and discount passes for US citizens and permanent residents who are age 62 or older. Annual Pass is $20 and valid for 12 months from purchase. Lifetime Pass is $80.
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Every Kid Outdoors Annual Pass - 4th Grade: Annual pass covering entrance fees for 4th grade students for the school year (September 1 through August 31), read here for more details. If a visitor asks how to redeem their digital barcode, please direct them to the Visitor Center for a paper voucher. They can also complete the Junior Ranger Book and receive a paper voucher at the Visitor Center. They can then exchange the paper voucher for a plastic card pass at the Entrance Station.
All passes are currently in stock EXCEPT the CNM Annual Pass, which arrives in a few weeks. Until then, if visitors want one, Entrance Station will issue the previous year's pass with two holes punched for the month issued. They can then exchange it for the new pass once they arrive.
More Info on Fees & Passes
NPS Photo | Unknown
Close-up of a 2020 edition 4th Grade Pass. Children sit in the background facing a park ranger.
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Administration
Staffing Updates
Cabrillo's Superintendent, Andrea Compton, will be taking a temporary assignment at GRSA (Great Sand Dunes NP, CO) as acting superintendent. Beginning in early February, for 120-days (or less), returning likely in late June. A couple of reasons for doing this -- professional development and working at another park is always beneficial for new ideas for park operations. Congratulations, Andrea! A notice regarding recruiting for an acting superintendent for CABR came out this week.
Also, congratulations Jillian Svoboda, and welcome! She is Cabrillo National Monument's new Budget Analyst, and we are very happy to have her. Please take the time to say hi when you see her around the park and welcome her to our beautiful park and city!
Here's her greeting for you all:
"Hello all! I joined the Cabrillo team as Budget Analyst in December 2022. I recently did seasonal work at Rocky Mountain N.P. and Everglades N.P. after many years with the Department of Defense and corporate America. The National Park Service certainly has the best 'offices'.
Cabrillo is no exception. I have loved learning about the diverse treasures found here: Cabrillo’s expedition, the historic lighthouse, military history, tidepools, and views…all in a small area! I look forward to meeting you and learning more about this wonderful place. If you see me around, feel free to share your favorite nugget about the park. Volunteers are a wealth of knowledge and we’re so thankful for your time!"
NPS Photo | J. Svoboda
Jillian Svoboda smiling, in full NPS uniform. In the background is a gorgeous snowy mountain range, evergreen pines and a shimmering lake. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds.
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CNMF's Stargazing Event Needs VIPs | |
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Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is hosting a Stargazing Event on Wednesday, January 25th from 6pm to 8pm and need your help!
The event is available on Volgistics on a first come, first serve basis to eight volunteers interested in signing up. Given the darkness of the event and potential tripping hazards, volunteers will be essential in making sure those in attendance are kept safe. Please be sure to sign up to let CNMF know they can count on you!
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(Foreground) Cabrillo National Monument Foundation | Circular logo of Cabrillo National Monument Foundation. The background has art of the lighthouse, San Diego Bay, sailboats, and a coyote. The foreground has a white banner labeled CABRILLO with a Spanish galleon ship outlined in black above.
(Background) NPS Photo | Photo of San Diego Bay, with a gray ocean and cloudy blue sky, taken from paved trail lined with green and yellow plants.
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In 1888, Congress ordered the construction of the Ballast Point Light Station. Its lighthouse tower included a keeper's residence, assistant's residence, and fog bell house. Its noble mission was to guide ships at San Diego's port entrance, channel and bay as far down south to National City.
The first keeper of Ballast Point Light Station was John M. Nilsson, assigned July 15, 1890. The above photo, however, is likely of keeper Henry Hall (assigned December 1, 1892).
Not many people know, however, that Ballast Point Light Station also included a doghouse built by keeper James Sweet (assigned 1903-1912) for the beloved family pet!
It even looked like a smaller version of their lighthouse home.
Thank you, Lighthouses of San Diego by Kim Fahlen and Karen Scanlon, for providing these fun facts!
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Have a "Did You Know?" message you would like to share with other VIPs? Send your submissions to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov! | |
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Unknown | NPS Photo
Black and white photo of Ballast Point Lighthouse, circa the late nineteenth century, with family of four (likely of keeper Henry Hall) standing to the side in Victorian-style clothes.
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Is 'America's Finest City' Also Home to America's Finest Urinal? | |
"Known to savvy world travelers for providing one of the finest views from any toilet in the USA, even our Google-masters acknowledge the excellent quality of the [the restroom below the Cabrillo lighthouse], with every single Google review a perfect five out of five. Some might quibble that there are only three reviews. Whatever."
To start the New Year with a laugh and good cheer, read this humorous editorial on Cabrillo National Monument's "best facility" for visitors!
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Joaquin Antique/OB Rag | Photo of bathroom below the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, surrounded by coastal sage habitat and with the blue-gray ocean in the background. | |
Continued Education Opportunities for VIPs | |
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In partnership with the San Diego Public Libraries, the EcoLogik team will be running free, in-person STEM workshops around the county!
On 1/25/23 join Sam Wynns and Cabrillo’s youth apprentices in a hands-on workshop that uses radio signals to track animals in the wild. Then, learn to 3D print from start-to-finish on 2/11/23.
And don’t forget a new season of virtual EcoLogik STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) workshops! These dynamic, gamified lessons are led by marine scientist and EcoLogik instructor Sonya Timko – they're fun for the whole family!
For more information, and to register, go to the EcoLogik page at: https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/kidsyouth/ecologik.htm
And, of course, I’m available to answer any questions you might have at Samantha_Wynns@partner.nps.gov. Hope to see you at one (or more) of these events!
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NPS Flyer | S. Wynns
A trio of flyers for the EcoLogik Nature x Tech program. For more detailed image descriptions, click the button to the left.
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Naturally Speaking Presents:
The Great Migration - Gray Whales from Alaska to Baja
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Thursday, January 19, 2022
5:00-6:00 PM PST
Cabrillo National Monument's Auditorium & Zoom
Which mammals have the longest annual migration in the world? The Eastern Pacific Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) travels all the way from Alaska to Baja California (and back again) every year – but why?
Join marine biologist Sarah Taber as she shares more on Gray Whales, and what one might expect to see as they migrate through San Diego on their way to and from their breeding/calving lagoons.
This a hybrid event – in-person in the auditorium (masks are recommended) as well as a free event on Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent in a separate email.
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CNMF | Flyer states "Naturally Speaking: The Great Migration - Gray Whales from Alaska to Baja. Free Science Talk. Marine Biologist Sarah Taber. Cabrillo National Monument & Zoom. 1/19/2. 5:00-6:00 PM Pacific. Register at CNMF.org." To the right is a smiling photo of Sarah Taber in a boat, and a photo of scientists taking photos of whales in the water near their boat. | |
CNMF | Flyer reads "Talking Turtles - A Speaker Series" and lists dates of talks. For more detailed image description, click the button to the right. | | |
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Saturday, January 15th
2:30 pm
Please help us clean up Ocean Beach here in San Diego, CA!... Your efforts make a big difference for the health of our waterways and oceans.
Also, see how you can help with the ongoing CoastSnap project in Torrey Pines!
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CNMF | Flyer states "Beach Clean-Up. Come join us and make a difference for our beach and wildlife! Sunday, January 15, 2023 starts at 2:30 PM! Volunteers receive a free pass for whale watching." The background is art of beach and a person holding a trash bag. | | | | |
