Cabrillo National Monument VIP Newsletter |
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October 2021 Updates for VIPs |
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In this issue:
- Welcoming Ranger Sandy Hernandez!
- Annual VIP Renewal: Thank You!
- COVID-19 Guidance: Coming Soon
- 4 openings only! Volunteer at the CNMF Moonwalk
- Naturally Speaking and SAMO Zoom Talks
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
A male tarantula creeps through leaf litter.
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Welcome Ranger Sandy Hernandez! |
Sandy was born and raised in Los Angeles county, where her family still resides. Her love for nature flourished at a young age because of her parents, both immigrants to these United States from the country of Guatemala. She still recalls times spent at the beach with her family while growing up, her first time seeing a sequoia, the joy of swimming in rivers and lakes, and the beauty of helping her mom in her garden at home- a simple reminder that nature experiences can happen in your own backyard!
Sandy graduated from the University of California, Irvine where she earned a B.S. in Earth System Science with a minor in oceanography. She then went on to join the Peace Corps in Ethiopia, where she served as an agriculture and environmental volunteer. During her time abroad, she met her now-husband, Addis. After returning to the United States, Sandy landed a seasonal job as a park ranger with Yosemite’s Volunteers-In-Park (VIP) program, so they both moved to the Sierras and never left until now. While in Yosemite, Sandy helped coordinate volunteer groups and lead their service projects. She continued working for Yosemite’s VIP program in a temporary appointment as the program’s assistant for a year and a half before transitioning to fees as a permanent Lead Visitor Use Assistant. As collateral duties, Sandy focused a lot on park efforts towards Relevancy, Diversity, and Inclusion, having been the Chair for Yosemite’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Employee Resource Group. While off duty, Sandy enjoys eating Ethiopian food with her husband, hiking, camping, and swimming, all while practicing self-care. If you have never had Ethiopia food and would like to, talk to Sandy!
Bonus: make sure to check out Sandy's Oral History Spotlight
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VIP Recognition Rendezvous:
Thank You!
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Thank you to all the VIPs who were able to attend this year's volunteer recognition event.
With great desserts and an even sweeter sunset, it was a wonderful and relaxing evening to see you all together.
The gratitude this park holds for your years of faithful service is profound.
Whether you were able to make it or not, we thank you as always for your dedication to the park and participation in the community that is Cabrillo National Monument.
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NPS Photo P. Geisler
VIPs gather at Ocean View parking for a casual (and COVID safe) volunteer appreciation event which ended with a sunset to remember.
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
VIP Jose Hurtado and Intern Tatiana Butte help close the Coastal Area at sunset.
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Annual renewals are winding down! Thank you once again to the VIPs who have already completed their Volunteer Service Agreements (VSAs) and Service Descriptions (formerly Position Descriptions).
VIPs are required to renew this paperwork annually. The current forms will be expiring October 31st.
Beginning November, VIPs that have not updated their VSA will be changed to Inactive and will no longer have the ability to sign up for shifts.
Please let us know if you plan on continuing your volunteer service at Cabrillo National Monument so that we may renew your paperwork for the upcoming year.
VSAs are available at the Interpretation office for VIPs to complete when in the park for their shifts.
If you have not yet returned to regular shifts and are interested in continuing to volunteer, please sign up for desk hours so that we can help you get your paperwork completed.
Please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov for questions and assistance with completing these forms, we are here to support. Please do not email your forms, no digital signatures will be accepted. |
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Masks are still required in federal buildings, by everyone - staff, partners, contractors, VIPs, and visitors regardless of vaccination status. Please be prepared to wear masks whenever you are inside any of the buildings at the park.
- People who are not fully vaccinated need to continue to physically distance consistent with CDC guidance.
- Park management will continue to monitor status and will relay changes in operations as guided accordingly.
Please note that park staff expect to receive additional guidance soon outlining required actions for volunteer coordinators and for volunteers. Be on the lookout for COVID-19 specific updates coming soon.
Thank you to everyone for your actions to reduce the spread of the virus.
Please reach out to the cabr_volunteers@nps.gov or your VIP Supervisors should you have any additional questions or concerns.
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NPS Photo
The Interpretation Rangers in the Summer of 2020 show off their expertise in pointing at things.
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Just a few shipping delays later and new auditorium chairs have finally arrived! Meaning the park is making progress on meeting requirements to safely reopen the auditorium.
No dates at this time on when it may reopen for park film viewing, but progress is being made.
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This fall, bird is the word … at the Visitor Center! |
Come take a peep at the new bird exhibit, showing now through autumn!
Coming soon! Join the Birding 101 walk led by Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Apprentices Lucinda and Maya November - December. Check the website and social media for tour details later this month.
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NPS Photo C Aurrecoechea
A small, gray, and brown bird with a white stripe over its eye clings to the top of a branch. Its long beak is open and head is tilted backwards as it sings.
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
VIP equipment including radio and magnet ready for pickup on the back picnic table.
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Updates to VIP Radio Protocol |
Volunteers are no longer testing radios at the beginning of their shifts. All radios will be tested by the ranger on duty prior to park opening.
If you suspect your radio begins to fail over the course of your shift, conduct a radio check ensuring to follow proper radio etiquette.
For example: You would say, "799, 540 (your name) radio check". The ranger on duty as 799, would respond, “Loud and clear” or similar statement to notify you that your issued radio is functioning properly.
As we adjust to this change, Rangers will remind VIPs of the new protocol when issuing radios. If you have any questions, please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov
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VIP HELP WANTED: Four Openings Only! |
Help is needed to direct traffic through the parking lots as well as direct attendees to event areas. Flashlights and safety vests will be provided.
Shifts are 5pm - 8pm as a Special Event assignment.
If you are interested and available but have not volunteered as Special Event support in the past, email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov so we may assign you the role and provide any necessary trainings. |
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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.
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Resource Management & Science |
Please report any wildlife mortalities along the road, especially leading up to the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, to any Resources staff.
The NPS National Maintenance Dive Team successfully removed the engine block from the May boat incident from our rocky intertidal.
At this time, the oil spill next to Orange County is not going to hit CABR, but we are on standby for ephemeral sampling. There is archeology work at the park this week.
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The California Conservation Crew removed 30,500 gallons of invasive plant material from the park over the last few months with the leadership of Lonie, our vegetation management specialist.
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
CCC hand pulling invasive plants with the New Point Loma Lighthouse in the background.
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TPERP Conference planning is in full swing, and we are excited to host a few speakers on Saturday, 10/23 to talk about the latest research related to the rocky intertidal.
The conference is full, but Pauline and VIP Dan Weider are working to ensure recordings, with speaker permission, are available for VIPs unable to attend. All VIPs will be able to view recordings once a link is posted, so keep an eye out!
NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
Gooseneck barnacles and muscles affixed to rock along the rocky intertidal.
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The greenhouse (GH) will open a few volunteer positions starting November 1st. If you are interested in volunteering at the GH, please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.
The GH crew meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11am. Meetings are either at the nursery or in the park. Tasks include seed collection, seed cleaning, sowing, transplanting, digging, planting, watering, chatting and laughing.
NPS Photo P. Simpson
VIP Heidi works joyously with her fellow Greenhouse VIPs.
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VIP Photo Submission: Spooky Sandstone |
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VIP Mary Rose spotted an eerie sight amongst the sandstone, just in time for Halloween! |
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NPS Photo C. Aurrecoechea
The sun sets over San Diego Bay, with a humid haze hanging over downtown San Diego.
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Another great episode from NPR's Short Wave Podcast. If you have 15 minutes to spare whether on your daily commute or relaxing at home, you might want to give this a listen!
Podcast host Emily Kwong has a conversation with author and activist Ambreen Tariq about the publication of her children's book and redefining outdoor experiences to promote diversity.
Check it out at the link below!
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In Case You Missed It: Naturally Speaking Talks
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Successful Pollination by Dr. Sula Vanderplank
Dr. Sula Vanderplank - botanist and conservationist gives a presentation on "Successful Pollination - Factors that Influence the Plants and Pollinators of Coastal Southern and Baja California".
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Conservation of the Smaller Majority - Butterflies of San Diego County
Paige Howorth – Curator of Entomology at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance discusses these winged jewels and how to protect them.
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Here is the link for last month's Zoom Session you may have missed to watch at your leisure. |
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Our friends at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO) and SAMO Fund continue to host their zoom series once a month on Thursdays from 12 pm - 1 pm!
Upcoming talks:
- November 18th- Abalone
- December 16th- Pygmy Mammoths
Zoom sign on information is the same for the entire series, so save it for future sessions!
Meeting ID: 819 0689 8251
Passcode: 996607
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Partner News: San Diego Maritime Museum |
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Mary Celeste Maritime Mystery Tour
Maritime Museum Of San Diego Ghost Ship Experience! Fun For The Family Halloween Weekend Fun, unusual, educational, challenging, somewhat spooky, and engaging activity for young visitors 12 and under to solve an unsolved mystery of the sea. San...
Read more
sdmaritime.org
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Don't Forget to Log Your Hours! |
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