CABR Monthly News & Updates |
|
Please review for important messages and updates from the park. |
|
Photos of the Month: Celebrate America |
|
VIP Kim Fahlen, 20 years of service |
|
"I have tended the lens and lantern of Old Point Loma Lighthouse since 2001. High on the ladder while cleaning the lens, reward comes by way of the particular vantage of Cabrillo National Monument and the city, mountains, bay, and Pacific Ocean. I love to catch our beautiful American flag in reflection—anywhere and everywhere I see it—but especially as it reflects in the prisms of the optic in our lighthouse."
|
|
VIP Mary Rose, 3 years of service |
"What could be more American than our United States Navy!"
|
|
VIP Katrina Gerace, 2 years 5 months of service
|
“Red, white, and blue donuts with star-shaped sprinkles await the Staff and Volunteers who participated in the ‘Tidepool Clean-up’ during the early morning hours of June 27th. I am proud to be a part of Cabrillo National Monument and to be surrounded by so many passionate, inspiring, and all-around awesome people!” |
BONUS PHOTO
VIP Brian MacDonald (4 years of service) shows off his reward after a successful Tidepool Cleanup!
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
|
|
The next theme is: Summer Sun!
Summer is here and the sun is doing it’s best to shine through the residual June Gloom. This month share that summer feeling with fellow VIPs! Whether a lizard soaking up the rays trailside or a sunset from the park during extended hours, get creative and share with us the best of summer at Cabrillo National Monument!
The good news? You have the rest of summer's extended park hours to get take some excellent new photos (now through Labor Day weekend) or dig through your summer archives!
Requirements:
- Photos must be submitted by their photographer (you, our VIPs!)
- Photos must be taken at Cabrillo National Monument (of course!)
-
Photos must reflect the theme- remember to peruse your archives as well, photos do not have to be taken this year
- Don't forget! Include your name, how long you have been a volunteer, and a brief caption explaining why you chose this photo for the theme
-
Photos must be emailed to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov by Wednesday, September 8th to be considered
- You can reply to this email with your submissions, or email with the subject line: Newsletter Photo Submission: Summer Sun
Reminder: this is not a contest. Think of this as a fun way to share what you see and your experiences with your fellow volunteers.
|
|
NPS Photo P. Geisler
Clouds obscure the sky over the horizon of the pacific ocean, with sun rays beaming in a fan shape.
|
|
Congratulations to our very own Sita Antel:
Regional Youth Volunteer Hartzog Award winner!
|
NPS Photo
Regional Youth Volunteer award winner, Sita Antel, at the kitchen garden holding up a poster with the words, "Democracy should begin at the home."
|
The George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service recognize the exemplary contributions NPS volunteers make to their park and to their community. Six categories of service are recognized by this award. National winners will be selected from the regional winners and announced in late August.
Through the Volunteers In Parks program, nearly 300,000 volunteers across the NPS donate more than 6.5 million hours of service each year, for a value of more than $185 million.
In August 2020, the park hosted evening special events and an outdoor exhibit to honor the centennial of the 19th Amendment. For four days, the park lit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in purple and gold (the colors of the women’s suffrage movement), offered interactive pop-up stations, and displayed a socially-distanced slideshow of prominent figures in the women’s and human rights movements. The outdoor exhibit highlighting early women’s suffrage history through the continued fight for voting for all was displayed during this event week. VIP Sita Antel was instrumental in preparing the outdoor exhibit, which was displayed on A-frames along the sidewalk leading up to the lighthouse and the picket garden. Sita researched history on the women’s suffrage movement (including stories of diverse women), prepared exhibit texts, created original artwork, assisted with setting up the exhibit for the public, coordinated and communicated on all work with the event lead park ranger, and volunteered at the evening events.
Thank you Sita for your continued service throughout the years and congratulations for being recognized with this award! You are a brilliant member of our community and we are proud to have you.
|
NPS Photo
Regional Youth Volunteer award winner, Sita Antel and Ranger Julieanne Fontana stand in front of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse at night, lit in purple and gold in honor of the centennial of the 19th Amendment.
|
|
If you missed our latest end of update, here is a reminder-
1. VIPs no longer need to email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov to confirm COVID-19 self-screening. Please continue to perform the COVID-19 self-screen on your own, but only notify the coordinators at cabr_volunteers@nps.gov if answering “yes” to any of the 3 questions. We will cancel your shift.
- Have I had any recent known potential exposure (household contact or close contact within 6 feet) to anyone with COVID-19 infection?
- Have I had COVID-like symptoms* or fever (temperature of 100.4˚F or higher) within the last 72 hours including today? [Note: Check for fever before entering the workplace.]
- Did I develop COVID-like symptoms* or fever during the day while working?
2. There are no longer capacity limits at the Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Exhibit, Military History Exhibit, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, or the Assistant Keeper's Quarters. The Auditorium remains closed for renovations will re-open later this summer. The Visitor Center/Bookstore requires masks for unvaccinated people, as it is a retail operation managed by CNMF.
3. As for masks- at this time people who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a mask at the park. This includes fully vaccinated visitors, park volunteers, and employees. People are still required to wear masks if they are unvaccinated.
Given the above context, whether you choose to continue wearing a mask if you are fully vaccinated is a personal decision, and we encourage you all to make the best decision for your health and safety. Keep in mind that we cannot ask others if they have been vaccinated or not. We have plenty of disposable masks if you would like one for your shift!
Please reach out to the cabr_volunteers@nps.gov inbox or your VIP Coordinators should you have any additional questions or concerns. As you know, updates to guidance have been coming out quickly from all governmental sources. We will continue to keep you all apprised as more information makes it down the line. Your understanding and patience are greatly appreciated.
|
|
NPS Photo
The Interpretation Rangers in the Summer of 2020 show off their expertise in pointing at things.
|
-
Cabrillo will continue to host Naturalization Ceremonies once a month and we added dates to continue hosting ceremonies through the end of 2021! 2 VIP sign-up slots are posted on Volgistics for each date from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov for more information.
- We have a third summer seasonal ranger coming to the Interpretation team who will join us on Monday, July 19th!
-
The auditorium will be renovated during the week of July 12th by a contractor to replace the old movie screen, speakers, and audiovisual equipment. It will be under construction for the entire week. When the work is done, we will set a date to re-open the auditorium to the public and start showing movies again, including the new Cabrillo film, Voyages of the San Salvador. If you haven't seen the new film yet, it's available on our website: Voyages of the San Salvador - Cabrillo National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
|
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
VIP Jo Rummelhart distributes Junior Ranger Activity books to visitors in the breezeway.
|
Visitor Center Contact Desk Volunteers Needed
We need volunteer coverage for the desk on Fridays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Coverage is especially needed on Friday, July 16th while many staff attend training.
If you volunteered at the desk prior to the pandemic and are interested in coming back, please send an email to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov about re-onboarding into this position so that we may update you on new protocols and provide training on the new contact desk that is outside the visitor center.
|
Check out this news story from NBC7 about Intern Lily Molina's ASL tours. Lily and Ranger Julieanne both did a great job. Be sure to watch the video!
|
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
VIPs Alec Johnson (left) and Ken Glaze (right) host inquisitive visitors at their newly reopened Bunker table on June 12th.
|
Modified Military Bunker Reopening and VIPs needed!
The military bunker will again be open to the public – with modifications – on Saturdays starting 7/17! We continue to follow DOI guidance that requires 6 feet of distance between people. Up to two visitors in the same party will be allowed down the stairs at a time to look at the bunker from the entrance. Stanchions will be set up at the entrance and a VIP in the VIP blue shirt will stand in the marked area to maintain the 6 feet of distance. Another VIP will greet visitors and monitor crowding from the top of the stairs.
To give visitors this experience, we need more volunteers on Saturdays from 10am – 2pm at the bunker! Are you a history buff who has wanted to learn more about Cabrillo’s military past? Or interested in trying something totally new and outside of your usual area of knowledge? All current volunteers are welcome! VIPs will be in blue shirts and will have training on the job from experienced VIPs. Please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov if interested in learning more.
|
Reminder: there are two new featured exhibits in the Visitor Center. If you have not yet had the opportunity to check them out, please do so! |
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Conservation + Comics on display at the Visitor Center.
|
|
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
The tidepools exhibit on display at the Visitor Center.
|
|
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea |
|
Next Naturally Speaking free virtual science talk!
Mark your calendars and save the date – the next Naturally Speaking will be on Wednesday, August 18th at 6:30 PM on CNMF’s Zoom! Keeping in theme with the Pollinatorpalooza, August’s presentation will be featuring Dr. Paige Howorth, the McKinney Family Curator of Invertebrates who leads the Entomology Department and invertebrate conservation programs at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Paige will be speaking about native butterflies (including the Western Monarch populations) and the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve and protect these important (and beautiful) pollinators. Link for registration will be up on Cabrillo’s website and CNMF’s website soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
|
|
CABR VIPs,
Please use this Kudoboard virtual greeting card to congratulate Julieanne on her move and thank her for her service here at Cabrillo. Uploading a photo is optional but encouraged! Please sign by July 14, 2021.
|
|
Please welcome Alisa Hernandez, Wildlife Biology Intern with the Latino Heritage Internship Program for her summer term!
|
|
NPS Photo
Alisa Hernandez stands before the Cabrillo National Monument welcome sign.
|
Alisa Hernandez is an undergraduate biological science student of California State University, Fullerton. This summer, she is working as a wildlife biology intern through the Latino Heritage Internship Program and Environment for the Americas. Alisa is investigating the relationship between the Cabrillo National Monument herpetofauna community and local climate as part of her research project. She enjoys learning about local ecosystems and is eager to learn more during her time here at the park |
Please welcome Tatiana Butte, Resource Protection and Public Engagement Intern for her summer term!
|
Tatiana Butte is a San Diego native. She discovered her passion for the environment and advocacy while a part of a local San Diego nonprofit, Outdoor Outreach. Tatiana advocates for outdoor equity and access for diverse youth. She speaks with officials in California that have established programs to provide environmental education experiences across the state. In 2020 she received the Outdoor Retailer Youth Inspiration Award for her advocacy. She aspires to continue to help her community and hopes to further her education at the University of California Berkeley. On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her dog, friends, and food sightseeing. Tatiana is excited to learn about the culture and environment of the park and is excited to meet you.
|
|
Resource Management & Science |
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Resource Management and Science Division at the Coast Trail leading to the tidepools. From Left: Pauline Geisler, Renee Heidelberg, VIP Patricia Simpson, Lonie Brown, Dr. Linh Anh Cat and Dr. Lauren Pandori.
|
A resounding thank you to VIPs that participated in the TPERP Tidepool clean-up at the end of June. An astounding 350-400lbs of trash and debris were removed from the tidepools. Thank you for all that you do! |
|
NPS Photos C. Aurrecoechea
Image 1 (top left): VIPs and staff gather around for Law Enforcement Ranger Bob Downs's safety tailgate before heading out to the tidepools.
Image 2 (top right): VIPs and staff fuel up with a breakfast of champions- coffee, tea, and donuts before embarking on their morning mission.
Image 3 (bottom left): VIPs in zone 3 discover a large debris pile and begin to gather the movable pieces.
Image 4 (bottom right): VIPs carefully walk debris back towards the tidepool entrance for removal.
|
|
Lonie Brown hosted two sessions of EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) training for VIPs this month. Thank you to the VIPs who attended!
This brief training is highly recommended for all volunteers but can be especially helpful for Weed Warrior and Roving volunteers seeking to learn more about invasive species in the park.
If you missed these sessions and would like to take part, let us know by emailing cabr_volunteers@nps.gov so future opportunities can be scheduled.
|
|
In case you missed it and would like to watch our previous CABR Talks check them out below!
Thank you again to our VIPs that joined us life and were wonderful audiences to our various speakers, we hope you enjoyed them!
Stay tuned for more opportunities for continued talks in the future.
|
|
NPS Photo: Volunteer Photographer L'Ecuyer |
Our friends at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO) and SAMO Fund will be hosting their zoom series once a month on Thursdays from 12 pm - 1 pm!
Here are the next few dates and their topics:
- Thursday, July 22nd- Juan Bautista de Anza Trail
- Thursday, August 19th- Vegetation Monitoring in the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills: 2.5 years post-Woolsey
- Thursday, September 16th- Fire and Cultural Resources
Zoom sign on information is the same for the entire series, so save it for future sessions!
Meeting ID: 819 0689 8251
Passcode: 996607
|
Here are the YouTube links for Zoom Sessions you may have missed to watch at your leisure: |
|
In case you missed it: Dr. Ray Ashley, President and CEO of the Maritime Museum gave a wonderful talk as part of the SAMO Fund series. He was “live” via Zoom from the Channel Islands. Watch the recording to learn more about the Cabrillo expedition and how this story connects to Cabrillo National Monument, Channel Islands National Park, and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It’s always fun to hear Dr. Ashley spin a yarn – don't miss this one! |
|
Partner Update: The Maritime Museum of San Diego |
|
Indoor Exhibits, Below Deck Galleries Reopen June 15
Affordable Narrated Bay Tour Experiences Continued with General Admission SAN DIEGO, CA - Maritime Museum of San Diego, serving as the community memory of our seafaring experience by collecting, preserving, and presenting our rich maritime...
Read more
sdmaritime.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
On the VIP Voice this month: |
|
Meet Ted Washington, Poet, Musician, Artist and More
Ted Washington: "No, I don't feel like I've mastered anything. Some people say to me, 'Oh, you're a renaissance man,' and I don't even know what that is. Things just find me. I began writing just to get stuff out of my own mind."(K.C. Alfred/The...
Read more
cnmvipvoice.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
VIP Voice is a blog site run by volunteers for volunteers to keep connected to the Cabrillo National Monument VIP community. It is not a federal website. This link does not imply endorsement of any opinions shared on the website. |
|
Don't Forget to Log Your Hours! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
