March 2021
CABR Monthly News & Updates
Welcome to the next edition of your monthly newsletter!
Cliff Notes
We had plans to talk about erosion...but they fell through (get it?!).

In all seriousness, we wanted to bring this topic up again because cliff collapses in the tidepools have been occurring frequently over the last few months. We have been extremely lucky that no visitors, volunteers, or staff have been harmed with all this recent activity. To ensure that this remains the case, please remember the following:

  • Remind visitors to be careful if they are near a cliff
  • Do not linger close to the cliff walls down in the tidepool area
  • Educate visitors as to why it is dangerous to linger next to cliff walls
  • Report any large erosion events to 799 or law enforcement
  • Enjoy being able to witness a magnificent geological event and the everchanging landscape of the tidepool areal
Volunteer Radio Protocol - Review Required
Objective 

This SOP outlines the expectations and procedure for volunteer use of park radios.  
 
Expectations 

All Volunteers will use a radio to communicate with staff and other volunteers during shifts. Volunteers will monitor radio for safety information and wait until other conversations are complete before starting a new radio call (unless there is an emergency).  
 
Procedure 

  • Radio Etiquette
  • Think about what you want to say before you transmit and use concise language.  
  • If you are outside, shield the microphone from the wind with your hand and turn away from the wind. 
  • Listen before you transmit to ensure there is no other radio traffic.  
  • Press the transmit button firmly for one second before you begin speaking.  
  • Speak directly into the receiver. Hold the radio slightly away from your face.  

  • Checkout Radio
  • During COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers will wait for NPS employee to bring radio to the admin flagpole or VC Contact Desk. Radio will be signed out and disinfected.  

  • Test Radio
  • Ensure that the radio is set to proper channel (channel 2, CABR REPEAT-D).  
  • Always do a radio check before you leave the admin building area. Use the instructions below for initiating a call, and say: "799, 540 (your name) radio check." 799 will respond. 
  • If many volunteers are beginning a shift, leave a break between radio tests to allow for other urgent and emergency communications. 

  • To make/ initiate a call 
  • Say the call number of the person you are trying to reach (ex. "799”) and then say your own call number and name "540 (your name) here.”  For example: "799, 540 (your name)." Then release the button and wait 10 to 15 seconds for a response. If you get no response, repeat your original transmission. 

  • To respond to a call: 
  • When someone calls your number, respond with your number and name. For example: The caller would say, "540 (your name), 799". You, as 540, would respond, "540 (your name)" 
  • Once you have received a message, say "Copy" so the sender knows you heard the communication. Example: If 799 says that you are needed at the Visitor Center, you respond with, "Copy. Heading to the Visitor Center." 

  • Return Radio. 
  • Call 799 to return radio to the admin building at the end of your shift. Example: “799, 540 (your name), ending shift and returning radio.”  
  • 799 will let you know where to return the radio.  
 
Other Considerations  

  • Safety first: Your safety always comes first. Do not hesitate to call a park law enforcement ranger should you encounter a medical or safety situation. Each ranger has a radio call number, or you can always ask for "any law enforcement ranger." 
  • For observations and reports that are not emergencies but are useful information, radio 799. Law enforcement rangers will be listening to transmissions and 799 can pass off the contact if needed. 
Interpretation Updates
  • The IEV team now have a large supply of disposable masks for VIPs. Thank you to maintenance for assisting with the order! We will now offer a disposable mask to every VIP when they arrive to pick up their radio so they have the option of double masking. 

  • Hiring update: we have one seasonal selected and Amanda is working on selecting a second seasonal. 

  • Elizabeth is working on budget updates. 

  • Reaching out to partners for a grant proposal for tidepool trips for underserved audiences. 

COVID-19 Update
Almost one year after the park initially closed (3/21/2020), it is great to see progress is being made with COVID-19 cases going down, and the number of vaccinations going up!  

Accordingly, we will be adjusting operations slightly in the very near future. We will first go through safety reviews and informing region prior to implementation, and then proceeding methodically.  

What does this mean for volunteers? Continue to wear masks when volunteering! If you are hiking alone on Bayside Trail, it's okay to pull down your mask, but be prepared to pull it back on and cover your nose and mouth if any visitors approach. If you are working in proximity of other volunteers or visitors, keep your mask on to protect you and the people around you. Most indoor areas will continue to be closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you have any questions about specific scenarios, please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov and we will find an answer!
Resource Management & Science
  • Fieldwork: Biodiversity surveys canceled due to rain. California gnatcatcher surveys to start next week. 

  • Compliance: Progress on two of three projects needed to issue Special Use Permit to City of San Diego.

  • Two proposals funded through CA Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) to expand the areas of the park the veg management team can work on. Thank you to Lonnie for writing those proposals! 


Linh Anh Cat, Ph.D. (she/her)
Chief of Resources Management & Science
 
Partner Update: CNMF
Please support your Park by attending Cabrillo for the Stars on May 22 at 7 pm. This virtual event experience is free to attend, comfy clothes are encouraged, but your National Park spirit is required.

We will entertain you, inspire you, and highlight the amazing programs, including volunteer support and training, that supporters like you help to fund.

Silent auction opens May 15. You can learn more and register at http://1cau.se/aSr or cnmf.org. 

Emily Moore
Executive Director
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation - Celebrating 65 years!

Volunteer Roles in Long-Term Rocky Intertidal Monitoring
Lauren Pandori – Marine Biologist

I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to VIPs and partners who have made our long-term rocky intertidal monitoring program a massive success since its establishment in 1990. Many of our proudest accomplishments would not be possible without your efforts: the founding of the TPERP program, establishment of local Marine Protected Areas, and implementation of education programs that foster knowledge and stewardship of our unique natural resources. Thank you for your dedication and support to the tidepools at Cabrillo.

As the newest marine biologist, I will continue our traditions of strong monitoring programs, and invite new stakeholders to share in the wealth of knowledge we have at Cabrillo National Monument.

In the upcoming year, I will be making the following updates to park programs
:
1) To increase the specificity of our data collection and foster partnerships with local scientists, we will be increasing scientist involvement in long-term rocky intertidal monitoring and biodiversity surveys at Cabrillo National Monument and its associated sites. Through a selection process announced in Fall 2021, I will be recruiting and training or refreshing a small group of VIPs to help with data collection and pair them with local scientists in the field.

2) To assess seal and sea lion use of our rocky intertidal zone, we will be implementing a shore-based pinniped monitoring program in Summer 2021. I intend to train a small group of VIPs and local scientists to conduct these surveys.

I look forward to continuing to work with VIPs for rocky intertidal and pinniped monitoring. Keep an eye out for more updates!
Partner Update: The Maritime Museum of San Diego 
Here is an announcement from our partners at the Maritime Museum of San Diego about their current operating status and program offerings. For more information or questions, please visit the MMSD website.
 
Maritime Museum of San Diego 
Open weekends 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
 
National and State Landmark vessels featured for safe educational visitor experience 
 
SAN DIEGO, CA --- (March 17, 2021) – Maritime Museum of San Diego, serving as the community memory of our seafaring experience by collecting, preserving, and presenting our rich maritime heritage and historic connections with the Pacific world, remains open weekends only, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Maritime Museum of San Diego’s outdoor experience includes a walking tour of the upper decks of the historic fleet, including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India, H.M.S Surprise, the revolutionary war navy frigate replica of the H.M.S. Rose, also featured in the motion picture Master and Commander, the state’s official tall ship schooner, Californian, Spanish galleon replica San Salvador and the elegant Victorian-era steam ferry boat Berkeley Observation Deck. Indoor exhibits, below deck galleries and submarines will remain closed temporarily due to operational and capacity limitations. 


Visitors to the Museum looking for a tour ashore and on San Diego Bay can add on a 45-minute narrated Historic Bay Cruise which features naval history highlights for only $5.00 with purchase of general admission. The Museum expanded the bay boat tour schedule now offering five weekend bay tours Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. The 45-minute sightseeing tour takes guests out on the water in a large loop first heading toward North Island and the Aircraft Carriers, then stopping at buoy 22. Guests will then head just under Coronado Bridge and make a port (left) turn around one of the bridge pillars. The vessels then heads back towards the Maritime Museum along the downtown side of the waterfront. During the entire run, guests will see a mixed history of the area and certain attractions within sight. Also, combining lessons in our local ecology and economy. 
 
Attractions generally talked about on the narrated San Diego Bay tour include: Lindbergh field, the Coast Guard station, North Island, Carrier(s), City of Coronado, Coronado Bridge, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Tijuana/border, 24th Street Marine Terminal, Naval Station San Diego, shipyards, 10th Ave. Marine Terminal, Convention Center, Public Library, Petco Park, various buildings of interest in downtown, Seaport Village, Tuna Harbor, USO Park, the Midway, cruise ship terminals, and finally as passengers approach the Museum, the narration will focus on nuggets of knowledge about each of the museum vessels in the fleet. 
 
Bay Boat tour reservations will be hosted aboard two restored nationally recognized historic power boats including the Vietnam-era PCF 816 Swift boat used in the training of U.S. Naval sailors and the 1914 Pilot boat, the oldest active harbor pilot boat in the country.  Customers can make reservations for the boat tours upon arriving at the Museum when purchasing general admission passes from the Ticket Booth or online in advance at https://sdmaritime.org/, while supplies last. Should tickets be unavailable online, walk-up reservations may still be available. Once scheduled, guests may check-in for boat tours on the docks behind the Berkeley 15-minutes prior to scheduled runs, before or after they explore the Maritime Museum. Space is limited aboard the vintage vessels due to lower capacity requirements in accordance with state guidelines. Ticket sales end one hour prior to closing (or 4:00 p.m.).  
 
Temperature checks and wellness screenings are required of all staff, volunteers and visitors prior to admittance. Anyone feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted inside the museum to protect everyone's safety. Facial coverings will be required at all times. Social distancing protocols will be followed and the Museum has designed an easy to follow one-way foot path. 
 
Additional sanitation, disinfection and cleaning procedures have been implemented throughout the Museum vessels.  Museum staff and crews will sanitize the boats before and after each tour. The Museum has invested in additional convenient hand sanitizer dispensaries available for use before and after touching handrails. Frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized multiple times on a daily basis. 
 
Located at Star of India Wharf, the Maritime Museum of San Diego is a collection of historic vessels moored together dockside along the north embarcadero between Grape and Ash Streets located at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309. For more information, to make a donation or learn more about the restoration projects underway, visit sdmaritime.org. 
Don't Forget to Log Your Hours!