Cabrillo National Monument VIP Newsletter | |
September 2023 Updates for VIPs | |
Don't Forget to Log Your Hours! | |
VIP Recognition Extravaganza 2023 | |
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Saturday, September 16th
5:30 pm - 7 pm
Oceanview Parking
Please join us for this year's VIP Recognition Extravaganza, where we can celebrate & thank you all for your enduring service & dedication. Enjoy delicious tacos, night views of the Bay, Open Tower at the Old Point Loma Ligthhouse, and the company of your fellow VIPs.
Hosted by Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF).
Event outdoors. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the sunset together!
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NPS | P. Geisler & H. Marquez
"Volunteer Recognition Extravaganza 2023" overlaid over photo collage of VIPs in action and of violet sunset sky over the park.
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San Diego Zoo - VIP Field Trip!
Saturday, Oct 7th
8:30 AM - 10 AM
RSVP by Sunday, Oct 1st!
Please join us for this exciting field trip to the San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park, open to all Cabrillo National Monument VIPs!
Entry will be FREE with your RSVP. Entry numbers are limited, so RSVP now.
Please meet us at the front entrance at 8:30 AM, as the guided tour will start promptly from 9 – 10 AM. VIP uniform not required.
VIPs are welcome to explore the Zoo on their own afterwards!
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San Diego Zoo | Statue of roaring lion in front entrance of San Diego Zoo. | |
New Volgistics Updates & Log-in Link! | |
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Volgistics is updating to a new version on September 27th.
You can still use the old link before then... but BOOKMARK the new link below now!
Beyond the new login link, Volgistics now has a mobile app: VicNet.
Interested? You can find it on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. This app can save your login details and streamline your mobile experience with logging hours and more.
If you have any questions, please reach out to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.
We're here to help!
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- Feature Story: RSVP Now! VIP Recognition Extravaganza 2023 (Deadline 9/15) & San Diego Zoo Field Trip (Deadline 10/1)
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VIP Spotlight: Pamela (Pam) Zuckerman
- Volunteer Navigation Committee Updates
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Safety Messages for VIPs: Earthquake Safety & Covid-19 Variant Precautions

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Division Updates: New staff, events and more! Be sure to read about National Public Lands Day (9/23) events.
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- Visitor Center facelift! Closing from 9/18

- Now recruiting! Shorebird Monitoring & Textile Team
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Did You Know? Submitted by Patricia Simpson

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Partner Message from CNMF: VIPs needed for Gentle Sunrise Yoga Event!
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Continued Education Opportunities for VIPs: Jr. Scientist Day (9/23), Naturally Speaking with Sabrena Stembridge (9/27), and more!
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On the VIP Voice: "Glowing Fireworms Anyone?" Join us on 9/21 at 7 PM!
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VIP Spotlight: Pamela (Pam) Zuckerman
As shared by Shorebird VIP Supervisor Sam Wynns, "Pam has been instrumental when it comes to gathering data on Cabrillo's shore- and sea bird population. For many years she has taken the lead on organizing, training, and leading shorebird monitoring with fellow VIPs, assuring that there is no gap in Cabrillo's long-term Inventory and Monitoring data of this avian population. Thank you for helping us preserve and protect, Pam!"
Also, Ranger Sandy Hernandez shared, "Pam does such a wonderful job as the VIP lead for the Kitchen Garden team. She cares so deeply about the park and what visitors take away from their experience here. It is always such a pleasure working with her. She is quick on her feet, ready to tackle any project with grand ideas and follows through. I am currently working on a fun project with her for the Kitchen Garden and it is always such a joy. Thank you, Pam!"
Last, but not least, IEV Program Manager Amanda Gossard chimed in: "Pam brings so much to the park in her role as a VIP. Neither storm, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of fog keeps her away from shorebird monitoring and I've seen her up to her elbows in manure as a result of her dedication to keeping the lighthouse garden looking spectacular. Even after returning from shorebird monitoring completely drenched or finishing up a shift laying fertilizer in the garden, she is always smiling and giving encouragement to those around her. Thank you, Pam, for your contributions both big and small (and smelly) to the park and CNMF and thank you for always spreading joy and positivity."
Thank you to CVA Hannah for this month's thoughtful nomination. Please send in future nominations to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.
Thank you, VIP Pam, for your continued dedication to Cabrillo National Monument!
NPS Photo | C. Aurrecoechea
(Above) VIP Pam works on creating stakes for the park's Kitchen Garden.
(Below) VIP Pam smiles, holding a sign that reads: "I volunteer because we are all so very lucky to enjoy this land. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to be a part of this place as often as I wish."
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How Did We Shine? Kudos
Cabrillo National Monument has harbored so many visitors this past month. We really appreciate all the help from our VIPs! That's why we can't wait to seal-abrate your hard work during the VIP Extravaganza!
Here's some fin-tastic visitor and staff kudos for our volunteers:
For VIP Cindy: "Cindy was very helpful in providing a disabled parking pass for the lighthouse when we didn't know that was an option."
For VIP Sandy W.: "Extremely helpful & knowledgeable. Very nice lady!" and "Helpful with stamps!"
For VIP Jack O.: "Thank you for being such an amazing resource on the lighthouse to visitors! It was amazing to see you fascinate large crowds with your history-telling abilities."
For VIP Gary: "First time I had seen the light room open. It was very informative and a great addition to our hike. Thanks for having it open" and "Terrific overview + presentation of spotlight + power generation station! Thank you!" and 3 more kudos for searchlight interpretation!
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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 | P. Geisler
Close-up of a group of harbor seals bouncing on an algae-covered rock.
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Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC) Updates
Instead of a VNC Meeting, we welcome VIPs to join us at the San Diego Zoo Field Trip! We hope you can join us there. Don't forget to RSVP with the link above!
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 Photo (top) | Ranger Sandy and four wonderful VIPs and interns at the tidepool entrance.
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New COVID-19 Variant:
Feel sick? Please stay home!
While the NPS has not reactivated full COVID-19 protocols, all VIPs are recommended to stay home if you feel under the weather!
Cancelling a shift is as easy as emailing cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.
As always, VIPs are welcome to wear a mask during shifts. Thank you and stay safe!
NPS | Unknown
Flyer with raccoon in a facemask reads, "masks are in".
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September: Earthquake Safety Month!
"In 1959, a massive earthquake hit Yellowstone National Park causing rock slides, visitor fatalities, and even created a new lake called Quake Lake..."
Not only did national parks in Southern California experience a tropical storm, but some experienced an earthquake on top of it all!
Check out this NPS video to learn about the disastrous 1959 earthquake that caused rockslides, visitor fatalities, and even created a new lake at Yellowstone National Park!
NPS | C. Aurrecoechea
Close-up of cracked rocks at tidepool entrance.
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Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers (IEV) | |
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Thank you to VIPs who have been supporting us during busy few weeks! As you may have seen around the park, we had NPS staff from all over the country here for a week-long training.
Here's some things to note:
National Public Lands Day! This fee-free day will be very busy at the park, as we will be hosting a Weed Warriors Open Session and Jr. Scientist Day.
If you're available, we highly recommend participating in either event. They both come with a special surprise! Read more about them below, in the Weed Warriors and Continuing Education sections.
New tear-away maps! Check them out at the Visitor Center. We hope this will reduce paper waste and help visitors moving forward.
Welcome, Brooke Wilder! She has a message to share with you all, as our new VIP-turned-staff member:
"Hello amazing VIP Team!
My name is Brooke Wilder and I’m a new employee partnering with the Interp team here at CNM. You may recognize me from my time as VIP with the Science Explorer’s Club or from when I completed an Interdisciplinary Apprenticeship in the park back in 2019.
I am very excited to be back in this new role teaming up with the amazing Samantha Wynns to support science education here in the park. I will primarily be working on three things: being a co-lead from the Science Explorer’s Club project, being a mentor for the amazing young women of the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Apprenticeship program, and helping bring science into the community by teaching EcoLogik workshops.
Some fun facts about me are that I have two cats that I love very much, I love hitting the trails here in Southern California, and that I recently graduated from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego with my degree in Environmental Systems.
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone, so if you see me around feel free to say hello!"
NPS | B. Wilder
Brooke Wilder smiles, standing against a San Diego sunset over the ocean.
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Visitor Center's Mid-Modern Facelift (9/18)!
The Visitor Center will be closed soon for an exciting update!
This project will rehabilitate the Cabrillo National Monument View Building, which is the central building in the Visitor Center Historic District. The rehab aims to get the view building back to how it looked when it was built in 1966.
The repairs will focus on the following areas:
1. Remove the skylights, which were added in the 1980’s.
2. Remove and replace the floor tiles with similar looking tiles.
3. Remove the current roofing system and replace with a roofing system that more closely matches the original cedar shake roofing system.
4. If time allows during the project, remove the exterior paint.
For an idea of how the visitor center will look when work is complete, check out the image above, which is from the dedication of the VC complex in 1966. CABR hopes to do restoration work on the rest of the buildings in the Visitor Center Historic District in the future.
As a result of this exciting project, the Visitor Center will be closed beginning September 18th, with work expected to begin October 5th.
The bookstore will begin moving into the auditorium the week of September 18th, and are likely to be open for business the first week of October. The work is expected to last until early December.
Please be on the lookout for a separate email regarding how this will impact volunteer operations.
Thank you!
NPS | Unknown
Crowd sits at the 1966 Visitor Center dedication ceremony.
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New Date! Lighthouse Cleaning Day
Sunday, September 24th
9 am
Help us care for this iconic local landmark! Learn more about the Old Point Loma Lighthouse's exhibits as you help us restore them to their shining former glory...
Limited availability. RSVP on Volgistics!
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NPS | S. Hernandez
Flyer reads: "Lighthouse Cleaning Day. Our Old Point Loma Lighthouse exhibits need some love and dusting. Will you join us? Sun, Sept 24th, 2023 at 9 am. Limited Availability. RSVP on Volgistics!" with art of lighthouse and red heart.
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Naturalization Ceremony
The next Naturalization Ceremony hosted at the park is on Tuesday, September 26th. Please sign up for a Naturalization Ceremony if you are available, as we need VIPs' help!
Never volunteered at these ceremonies but would like to give it a try?
Email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov for more details!
Thank you for your continued commitment and support with the Naturalization Ceremonies!
Limited availability. RSVP on Volgistics!
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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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Join our Textile Team VIPs! Help wanted!
Want a flexible volunteer opportunity, where you can even "work from home"?

Want to take part in the care and protection of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse?
Join Cabrillo National Monument's Textile Team!
Please reach out to Ranger Sandy at sandy_hernandez@nps.gov if you are interested in joining the VIP Sewing/Textile Team, or if you have any questions about the role.
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NPS | C. Aurrecoechea
Three VIPs in the Textile Team and Ranger Sandy pose with stitched pillows and a "Textile Team" sign.
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Resources Management & Science | |
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Oceanside Trail – Work on the Oceanside Trail will continue for the next few weeks. California Conservation Corps led by Joshua Tree Trail Crew will put in water bars, stairs, and other trail features.
LE Ranger – Law Enforcement Ranger Rebecca from Joshua Tree will serve as support at Cabrillo National Monument from 9/7 - 9/9.
New SiP Intern – Scientists-in-Parks intern Christine Bonadonna will be joining the Resources team on Monday, 9/11. Say "hi" if you see her around!
Congrats, VIP Supervisor Patricia – She, and other researchers, conducted the first observations of the San Clemente Island bee in mainland California! Ask about her latest scientific publication.
NPS Photo |
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Now Recruiting! Shorebird Monitoring VIPs
Volunteer Coordinator Sam Wynns and VIP-lead Pam Zuckerman are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers for Cabrillo's Shorebird Monitoring program! This role requires:
- A willingness to learn
- Excellent attention to detail for reliable data
- Mobility through Zones 1-3 of the tidepools during low tides, October - May
- A 2.5 hr. time-commitment each survey
- Tidepool accessible clothing (we can supply rubber boots)
Local bird knowledge is not a requirement, but it's a plus! If interested in learning more about this role, please reach out to Sam and Pam at Samantha_Wynns@partner.nps.gov.
Thanks, bird nerds!
NPS | P. Geisler
(Top) Belted Kingfisher (Middle) Oystercatcher (Bottom) Great Egret with extended wings. All birds sit by our park tidepools.
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Weed Warriors
Weed Warriors have focused on the Lighthouse and Whale Watch areas this past month. It is looking so much better. We will remain in this area for most of September.
Hurricane Hillary brought some much-needed rain. As you look around the park you may see a green tinge to the ground. That is the sprouting of a new bunch of weeds to greet us. Work is never done!
Join us for National Public Lands Day!
We'll be hosting an open session from 9:00 - 11:45 am, on Sat, Sept 23rd.
For more details, check out our NPLD event site.
NPS | H. Marquez
VIP Jeanette and Keith at work at the base of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.
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Greenhouse
The greenhouse had a great visit from CNMF members! The tour included three stations where people learned about greenhouse activities, plants and growing techniques, new trail work, infrastructure improvements, etc... A special thank you to VIPs David and Heidi who were amazing greenhouse ambassadors!
This month, we’ll be continuing seed collection and transplants. We’ll be starting sowing season and seed cleaning.
NPS | P. Simpson
VIPs Elly and Risë at work collecting Black Sage seeds by the Bayside Trail.
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CNMF Gentle Sunrise Yoga Event: Help wanted!
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is is hosting a Gentle Sunrise Yoga on Saturday, Sept 16th, from 7:00 - 9:00 AM.
They seek 2 VIPs to help make this event ama-zen-ing!
If you're interested, please RSVP on Volgistics.
Thank you!
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NPS | P. Geisler
Sunrise at Cabrillo National Monument from between tree branches.
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"Move over Barbie, there is another thin-waisted beauty in town and she is stunning! Meet the Thread-waisted Sand Wasp (genus Ammophila), a fairly common solitary wasp who hunts caterpillars!
They are many species of Ammophila wasps in North America: over 60. Species, however, are very difficult to tell apart from one another, requiring microscopic studies or even dissection. This means that on iNaturalist, most observations of these wasps will stay at the genus level.
While many of these wasps may be found nesting in the same area, they are solitary. This means a female tends her own nest(s) and does not share her burrow(s). She digs a fairly shallow hole for a single offspring. Then the hunting begins. She seeks caterpillars, stings them to paralyze them, then drags or flies them to her burrow. There she will lay a single egg on the caterpillar(s). One to ten caterpillars can be stored in a single nest. The quantity depends on the size of the grubs. Some of them could be as big as ten times the weight of the female wasp. It is remarkable that she can hold on to such a large prey item since her mandibles are not very large, but they are strong! Check out this observation of a female dragging a large caterpillar to her nest near Borrego Springs.
Different species may exhibit different behaviors.
For example, female of one species may hunt as many caterpillars as an offspring will need before pupating. Then she seals the nest and that is that. That’s called mass provisioning. Other females of a different species may place a few caterpillars at the time is a nest, apply a temporary seal and then return later with more food. This is called progressive provisioning.
With this technique, the offspring will enjoy fresher food. However, the challenge is for the female to keep track of where her burrows are and when it is appropriate to bring more chow. Check out this observation of a mom sealing her burrow with a big pebble.
The adult wasps are ‘vegetarians’; they feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants.
While these wasps can sting, they are not at all aggressive unless mis-handled. They are great to have in one’s yard to control ravenous caterpillars and they help with pollination duties!"
Thank you, Greenhouse VIP Supervisor Patricia Simpson, for writing this month's "Did You Know?"!
Have a "Did You Know?" message you would like to share with other VIPs? Send your submissions to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov!
NPS | P. Geisler
Thread-waisted sand wasp resting on a sandy park trail.
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Continued Education Opportunities | |
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Naturally Speaking:
Cultural Resources of Cabrillo National Monument
Wed, Sept 27th
6 - 7 pm
RSVP for Zoom Link
What does the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the Visitor Center Complex, and the view from Whale Watch Trail all have in common? Why, these are just a few of the Cultural Resources at Cabrillo National Monument! This talk will discuss these and more!
Sabrena Stembridge is Cabrillo National Monument's Cultural Resources Specialist. Her background is in archeology and museum curation and received her Master's degree in Archeological Anthropology from University of Colorado Denver.
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NPS | S. Wynns
Flyer reads "Naturally Speaking: Cultural Resources of Cabrillo National Monument. Free Science Talk. Archaeologist Sabrena Stembridge. Zoom. 9/27/23. 6 - 7 PM PST. Register at CNMF.org."
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Junior Scientist Day!
Saturday, Sept 23rd
11 am - 3 pm
Scavenger hunt! Scientists! Jr. Scientist Ranger Badge!
Join scientists and engineers for Cabrillo's second Junior Scientist Day!
You'll have the opportunity to go on a scavenger hunt, do some fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) activities, meet some real STEM professionals for an "ask me anything" session, and earn a totally unique Junior Scientist Badge!
Think Junior Ranger ... only SCIENCE.
All VIPs are invited, along with your families and friends! Park entry will be FREE for National Public Lands Day.
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NPS | S. Wynns
Flyer shows teens and kids talking to EcoLogik scientists and VIPs. It reads: "Junior Scientist Day. September 23rd, 11 AM - 3 PM. Scavenger hunt. Scientists. Jr. Scientist Ranger Badge."
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San Diego Astronomy Association: Comet Madness with Richard J. Goodrich
Wednesday, Sept 20th
8 pm
FREE via Zoom
"In 1705, Edmond Halley liberated humanity from the belief that comets were portents of doom; two centuries later, in 1910, as Halley’s Comet returned to perihelion, newspapers and magazines, religious leaders, misguided theorists, and shameless grifters managed to rekindle that fear. When astronomers announced that the earth would pass through the comet’s tail, opportunists exploited human anxiety—often with fatal consequences."
Learn more about this fascinating human response to this rare comet with historian Richard J. Goodrich, in this event hosted by the San Diego Astronomy Association!
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SDAA | Cover art shows stylized art of a telescope, fleeing crowds, and golden comet above, and reads: "Comet Madness: How the 1910 return of Haley's Comet (almost) destroyed civilization. Richard J. Goodrich." | |
Glowing Fireworms Anyone? | |
"Fireworms are mating! If you are interested in watching small worms mating & glowing like green light sticks now is the season.
VIP Mary has selected August and September for the more intense light show. These fireworms or glowworms, Odontosyllis phosphorea, swim up from the bottom to mate on the surface water for half an hour."
The next light show will be on Thursday, Sept 21th at 7 pm! Join us at this amazing VIP-led event at the DeAnza Cove Pier.
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Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences | Dr. James B. Wood
Microscopic image of a fireworm (Odontosyllis enopla)
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