Cabrillo National Monument VIP Newsletter | |
March 2024 Updates for VIPs | |
Don't Forget to Log Your Hours! | |
VIP Tour: New Point Loma Lighthouse! | |
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On Saturday, April 20th, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, please join us for a rare tour to the New Point Loma Lighthouse, open only to Cabrillo National Monument Rangers and active VIPs. Explore the light station grounds and climb the tower!
VIP uniform shirt and closed-toe shoes are REQUIRED. Meet us at far end of the middle bay (Visitor Center parking lot) for carpooling at 12:30 pm.
Tour is limited to 35 people, so RSVP now! Registration closes Sunday, April 14th, or when all spots are filled.
Thank you to the Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC), VIP Karen Scanlon, Captain James Spitzler and his wife Megan Spitzler for this opportunity.
For any questions, please contact cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.
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NPS | D. Wieder (left) & P. Geisler (right)
Collage of New Point Loma Lighthouse photos. The left image shows the buildings up-close, along with the tower in the background. The right image shows the New Point Loma Lighthouse as seen from above.
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Call to VIPs! Open Tower Day
On Friday, March 22nd, 2024, Ranger Sandy and Ranger Julia will be hosting the first Open Tower event for the public post-pandemic.
If you are available, please consider signing up for a shift!
Since we are expecting many visitors all day, and there's a low tide too, we would really appreciate having all help from VIPs: Park Rovers, TPERP, SEC, or more.
Thank you!
For the dates for this year and more information:
Open Tower Days - Cabrillo National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
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NPS | Close-up of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse's Fresnel lens, with the sunset in the distance. Text reads "Open Tower Day, first time in over 4 years!" | |
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- Feature Story: New Point Loma Lighthouse Tour
- VIP Spotlight: Susie Jablinske
- Volunteer Navigation Committee: Next on April 9th, 9 AM!
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Division Updates: Trails, Scientists In Parks, and More!
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Did You Know? Women's History Month
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Continued Education Opportunities for VIPs: Marine Science Day, Antonio Garra Day, and more!
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On the VIP Voice: "What's in the tidepools?" & "The Restoration of San Diego's Operational Lighthouse"
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VIP Spotlight: Susie Jablinske
As Ranger Julia shares: "Susie is a phenomenal Visitor Center VIP! Greeting visitors with a smile, she is knowledgeable about the park and kind to every visitor. We are so lucky to have Susie on our team!"
CVA Hannah adds: "We are very grateful to have VIP Susie as a friendly, welcoming guide in the Visitor Center. She is especially amazing in leading kids through their Jr. Ranger ceremonies and answering their many questions about the park. Thank you so much Susie!"
A visitor's kudos also mentioned: "She swore in my daughter as a Jr. Ranger, and she was wonderful! Thank you!"
Thank you to CVA Hannah for this month's thoughtful nomination. Please send in future nominations to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.
Thank you, VIP Susie, for your continued dedication to Cabrillo National Monument!
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NPS Photo | C. Aurrecoechea
VIP Susie speaks to young children, who are asking questions about the lighthouse's kitchen garden behind her.
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How Did We Shine? Kudos
Cabrillo National Monument takes flight thanks to our volunteer wing. We couldn't do it without you all!
Here's the latest flock of kudos for VIPs, from visitors and staff:
For Tidepool VIPs: "They were so cheerful and kind. They provided a great welcoming experience for our family. Thank you!"
For VIP Dan: "Thank you, Dan Weider, for all your help in making documents ADA compliant!"
For VIP Craig: "Very helpful about answering my questions!"
For VIP Fatima: "Thank you for your help with the low tide! You were a great educator as you answered visitor questions (and you really helped us with visitors who slipped on the algae)!"
For VIP Emily: "Thank you for your keen observational eye! You point out amazing things to kids while keeping the tidepool critters safe too!"
For VIP Jack: "Provided great info on trails at this park. Informative, friendly, and welcoming. Thank you, Jack!"
For VIP Gary: "So knowledgeable. Explained slowly to make sure we understood. He knows everything related to Fort Rosencrans. Thank you!"
For VIP John: "He is nice! So helpful, gave us the greatest tidepool info. Thank you, we love Point Loma!"
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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 | P. Geisler
A cormorant with widespread wings flies into the pastel blue and pink cloudy sky.
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Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC) Updates
The next VNC meeting will be on Saturday, April 9th at 9 am, in-person at the auditorium.
All volunteers are welcome to join in on VNC meetings!
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So, why would you join a volunteer committee—isn’t that just another meeting to your already full schedule?
The Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC) provides all volunteers with a voice in the decision-making processes for the VIP program at CNM. You can make a difference. Join us at the next meeting!
NPS | Unknown
Ranger Sandy and four wonderful VIPs and interns at the tidepool entrance.
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The NPS's Psychological Safety Standdown
Recently, the NPS had its first Service-wide Psychological Safety Standdown.
Psychological safety aims to create teams where "members feel empowered to share ideas, ask questions, voice concerns, and make and learn from mistakes without fear of embarrassment or rejection."
VIPs are welcome to learn more below, so we can help make all national parks safe in this too:
NPS | H. Marquez
Weed Warriors volunteers smile together in a group photo, wearing orange safety vests.
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Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers (IEV) | |
VIP Equipment Station — If you sign up for an early shift, please wait by the Visitor Center until 9am. A ranger will be there to open for VIPs at 9 am, so you can access VIP gear. We appreciate your patience! | |
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Military History Exhibit — This exhibit has been temporarily closed due to electrical issues. Thank you, VIPs, for answering visitor questions about our park history in the meantime!
Learn more about our park's role in WWII with the VIP Reference Manual (E-binder).
Welcome, Kaelynn! — We are excited to have a new Scientists-in-Parks intern join our team. Read her introduction below, as well as her plans to support the park:
"My name is Kaelynn Opalec! I was born and raised in San Diego. I got my bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in zoology at San Francisco State University. From a young age, I have always been fascinated with science, specifically with wildlife. During a college course, I got the chance to visit a portion of Golden Gate Park for a field trip. This field trip sparked my interest in the National Park Service. I wanted to get involved with a park service in northern California since I lived in San Francisco then. Unfortunately, COVID-19 happened, and I had to return to San Diego.
While finishing my degree online, I started volunteering with Cabrillo National Monument's TPERP, Tidepool Protection Education and Restoration Program. I have been with Cabrillo National Monument for almost three years before taking on this fantastic opportunity to be a SIP, Scientists-In-Parks intern, with Cabrillo National Monument!
As a SIP for the winter of 2024, I will work towards strengthening the park's community science projects that will continue for years. I will use Nature's Notebook to work on a phenology project with young individuals. This project focuses on plant pollinators at Cabrillo National Monument. The phenology project will coincide and prepare us for Cabrillo National Monument's 24-hour BioBlitz event. The 24-hour BioBlitz event aims to encourage the public and scientists to get together and gather as much biodiversity data as possible!
I am excited to be a part of projects that will have lasting impacts on the park and science community. I look forward to collaborating with brilliant young women who will be our future contributors and inspire other community members. I am excited to see what challenges we tackle as a team to keep community engagement flourishing as we think like scientists!"
NPS | K. Opalec
Intern Kaelynn smiles as she sits on a small boat. The blue of her jacket matches the blue of the ocean and sky behind her.
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Resources Management & Science | |
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Save the Date — Scientists-in-Parks intern Kaelynn will be running the Nature’s Notebook and BioBlitz projects this year...Save the date for the 2024 Monumental Conference and BioBlitz on Saturday, April 27!
Oceanside Trail Update — construction is on track. scheduled to open in spring 2024.
Coastal Trail Update & Safety Reminder — The spur trail is closed indefinitely due to heavy rain damage. Other areas are being monitored.
We also had a new trail collapse in the coastal trail, by the staircase over the hump near Lot 1, along with a sandstone cliff collapse by Tidepool Zone 1.
Please remind visitors to stay on the trail at all times for their safety, and to stay at least 10 to 15 ft. away from cliff edges and walls whenever possible!
NPS Photo | S. Hernandez
A massive wave crashes against the rocks, creating a rainbow over the white spray.
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Greenhouse
The greenhouse team is wrapping up planting for the season. Check out some of our new plants along the road that leads to the Lighthouse and around the Lighthouse!
We have been lucky to have lots of rain, which means the soil is nice and soft for planting and our "kids" are much better off with water that mother nature provides, giving them a great start in life. There is only one more planting day on the calendar, and more potential late planting (April) on the new Oceanside Trail if weather permits.
Sowing season is coming to an end, giving way to transplanting season. We are still cleaning seeds and pots. Weeding our restoration plots will also be starting soon.
NPS | Unknown
Greenhouse VIP Heide holds a tray full of young mallow plants.
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Weed Warriors
Weed Warriors have been working in the Lighthouse and Whale Watch area this past month. We keep trying to work in the Coastal Area, but every time it is put on the schedule it rains...
Perhaps you have noticed a couple of lone Weed Warriors working there on Saturdays. We have a few WW professionals who are helping out in this way. With the wonderful rain, there is so much growing, both native and non-native. The work is never done.
We will be moving as a group to the Bayside Trail most Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is always room for more help. Please come join us!
NPS | Unknown
Weed Warriors VIPs and Parks Project volunteers work together along the Coastal Trail.
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VIPs Wanted! Cabrillo Under the Stars
On Saturday, May 18th, from 5 to 10 pm, Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) will be hosting its annual fundraiser: Cabrillo Under the Stars!
Learn more here.
10 volunteers are needed. Are you interested in helping out?
Sign up for a special event shift on Volgistics!
CNMF | Logo reads "Cabrillo Under the Stars" in cursive, with a black & white illustration of the San Diego skyline.
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Heroines on the Homefront:
Women of the Second World War
FREE Virtual Exhibit
This Women's History Month..."Celebrate the women who gave their time and energy to support the war effort in the 1940s!
Six million women entered the labor force during the war years, increasing the number of working women by 57 percent...
San Diego, with its Pacific Coast location, military bases and aircraft plants, became a focal point of the war effort. The San Diego Union urged husbands to “Remember, an idle machine that could be working on war plane production may mean the life of a soldier...If your wife is physically fit...she should be prepared to take a war job.” At the peak of the war, women filled 40 percent of local defense jobs."
Check out this FREE interactive exhibit virtually, with the button below!
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NPS | Unknown
Black & white photo of women shipbuilders during WWII, holding signs listing their specific roles (like electrician, machinist, shipfitter, etc.).
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Continued Education Opportunities | |
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Old Town San Diego: Antonio Garra Day!
Saturday, Mar 16th, 2024
12:00 - 4:00 PM
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
FREE & Family-friendly!
Features local Native American bird singers, speeches, demonstrations, and exhibits. Come and experience San Diego’s Native American history!
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Old Town San Diego Historic State Park | | |
22nd Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup Day
Saturday, Apr 20th, 2024
9:00 - 12:00 PM
Many sites across San Diego County!
Help us celebrate Earth Day by joining the largest environmental cleanup in San Diego County during Earth Week!
Founded in 2002 by I Love A Clean San Diego, the Creek to Bay Cleanup shares the honor with Coastal Cleanup Day as one of the largest single-day environmental action events in San Diego County.
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I Love A Clean San Diego! | Art of the Earth over the San Diego Bay. Text reads: "Celebrate Earth Week! The 22nd Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup. Your neighborhood, our environment." | |
Marine Science Day 2024
Sunday, Apr 21st, 2024
11:00 - 3:00 PM
SDSU Coastal and Marine Science Institute
4165 Spruance Rd., San Diego, CA 92101
FREE & Family-friendly!
At Marine Science Day, explore current research at SDSU, the facilities at CMIL, and provide educational activities related to marine ecology and conservation.
Features touch tank, research talks, food trucks, raffle prizes, and more.
Marine Science Day is FREE and geared toward students, teachers, and families!
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SDSU MEBSA | Flyer for Marine Science Day 2024, with art of a galleon ship sailing over an ocean full of fishes. Lists information described above. | |
The Restoration of San Diego's Operational Lighthouse | |
Tuesday, March 12
Point Loma Assembly (3035 Talbot Street, San Diego, CA 92106)
Doors open: 5:30 pm.
Lecture: 6:00 - 7:00 pm.
$10 suggested donation
La Playa Trail Association presents its next history lecture, and you are invited!
Features author-historians (and park VIPs) Kim Fahlen and Karen Scanlon.
"Don’t miss the fascinating images and narrative of our familiar lighthouse tower—its lantern, watchroom, and ventilator ball removed—and the ‘sad-to-glad’ situation until the first flash of a modern VLB-44 array was sent to sea."
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What's in the Tidepools? - February 2024 | |
Another great month of low tides! More heavy rains caused extensive damage to both the Coastal Trail and the Spur Trail. The entrance to the tidepools however, was quickly repaired (again), but the Spur Trail remains closed, still badly damaged...
Here is a sampling of what our volunteers observed during this month — thank you to everyone who contributed!
Don't forget! Please send your photos of park critters to cnmvipvoice@gmail.com.
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NPS | F. Sheikh
Close-up of a Giant Keyhole Limpet
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