Make Cabrillo Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle In 2025 | With over 2 miles of hiking and walking trails and 166 acres of California native habitat to experience, Cabrillo National Monument is a regular destination for locals who incorporate this idyllic backdrop into their wellness routines. Full of peaceful places to pause and invigorating ocean air, it has a way of making us slow down even when we are picking up the pace. | Walking trails just south of the tidepools lead to one of several historic WWII relic sites. The Base End Station offers a unique place to explore and on Saturdays from 10 to 2:30 p.m. volunteer historians staff the post and offer expert insights into its story and significance. | |
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In this newsletter, we celebrate the accomplishments we have achieved together as the Park-Foundation-Donor-Volunteer collaborative that is stronger than ever as we begin to project the year ahead; we hope you will join us for one of our unique CNMF events. Your membership and these experiences are designed to help you engage with the park on a personal level and they give insight into one of the world's most biodiverse habitats, right here in San Diego!
Learn about the past, invent the present, and protect our future by making a gift to Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF). Donate today. Thank you.
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Your Generosity Speaks Volumes!
Donors showed us that they believe in the CNMF mission this fall by helping us not only meet, but exceed fundraising goals set for our 2024/2025 Fall Campaign.
With the support from over 100 donors, we raised $48,000 keeping the Foundation on track during the first quarter of the new year.
"Donor support is so critical to Park and Foundation operations ensuring education programs remain free and treasured resources remain protected and preserved. We are so incredibly grateful for your generosity and supporting our mission. Truly, thank you." ~ Emily Moore, Executive Director
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Giving Tuesday Energizes Fall Campaign
Thanks to the generosity of Trustee, Mike Whitehurst and an Anonymous donor, all Giving Tuesday donations were matched up to $5,000! This Giving Tuesday, CNMF raised over $7,700, kicking off our fall campaign.
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In this newsletter, we highlight a few programs that donors fund - Naturally Speaking, Greenhouse, Whale Watching Festival, and more!
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Naturally Speaking - January 15 | |
#FindThatLizard - Climate Change, Science Outreach, and Lizards of Southern California | |
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What: Naturally Speaking public science talk
When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM Pacific
Where: Zoom
How: Register at https://give.cnmf.org/product/NS/naturally-speaking-event-rsvp
Join herpetologist and ecologist Dr. Earyn McGee as she discusses how lizards in the southwestern US may be impacted by climate change, interesting research about lizards in Southern California, and how to engage broader audiences in herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians) as a career and a hobby!
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Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival - January 11 & 12 | | |
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Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, January 11 and 12 from 9 am to 4 pm at Cabrillo National Monument.
Sponsored by CNMF, this year's event celebrates 75 years of land-based whale watching. The Cabrillo National Monument tradition began officially in 1955 when the park was declared a public venue for observing gray whales. Cabrillo National Monument has hosted this event for the past three decades, typically drawing between 6,000 – 7,000 visitors over the course of the weekend.
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What to Expect:
Saturday, January 11 enjoy exhibitors and speakers from an array of backgrounds as they present on topics relevant to their work and the ongoing pursuit of healthy oceans and coasts as well as crafts and activities for all ages.
January 11 and 12, enjoy informative park staff and volunteers who will be stationed throughout the park to help visitors spot whales and explore the tidepools.
This festival is a chance for visitors to learn about the importance of our oceans and to connect with conservation and science experts!
NOTE: Sign up as a CNMF member at the event or increase your current membership and enjoy a special gift!
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Looking Good: Greenhouse Upgrades Bolster Plant Production for the Park | |
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What do California Towhee, California Quail, Silk-Spinning Crickets and Yellow-faced Bumble Bees have in common? They all rely on the plants at Cabrillo National Monument to live and your dollars are supporting future California native habitat in the park - literally. Young plants now sit atop new, sturdier worktables in the Greenhouse thanks to CNMF funding. These latest improvements follow roof repairs, the addition of new walls and an all-new watering system previously funded by the Foundation.
Vegetation Technician Patricia Simpson says the upgrades are just in time.
"Planting season is in full swing," says Simpson. "We are racing the clock to try to finish by the end of March at the latest."
This year she and her crew are focusing on the Coastal and Oceanside trails. She says more than 80 plants have been added along the Coastal Trail and the Greenhouse team is working to install a few hundred plants along a spur trail that has been closed due to erosion for the "wild residents" to enjoy. Flower enthusiasts will be happy to know they are also adding some new annuals there as well.
"The improvements make a world of a difference," Simpson notes of a growing environment that had become too hot and damp. "Transforming the greenhouse into a "grow house" was the right thing to do," she adds. She describes a transition that involved replacing the sides with hardware cloth (instead of clear panels) allowing the air to flow freely. She said the new walls protect young plants from predation (birds and mice love to eat young sprouts) and the new roof provides protection against freezing temperatures.
"It is now a great environment for our plants, and we've already seen great improvement in germination rates and plant health. We are also using far less water, which is great."
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Each year the Cabrillo Greenhouse produces hundreds of plants from seeds and cuttings gathered at the park.
(Pictured right barrel cactus along the Oceanside Trail were added to mitigate disturbed areas affected by its construction). Simpson says more to be added once it rains.
To support the Greenhouse and other ongoing CNMF programs, donate at CNMF.org.
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FRIENDS, FAMILY, STEWARDSHIP AND TRADITIONS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE TO CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT | |
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A family's collective memories are the scaffolding of the communal bond they share.
For the Bardin Family, Cabrillo National Monument is among the places where their shared memories were formed over three generations.
(Below: Grandmother and Erik Bardin stop for a photo)
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(Above: Then and now, Bob and Kimberly Bardin celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary at the Cabrillo Under the Stars in 2024 adding to their list of memories made at the park. Left: In 1997 11-year-old Heather learns about the tidepools from a park ranger. Below: Heather and Mom Kimberly.)
The East County couple, Bob and Kimberly Bardin enjoyed Cub Scout activities with their son, Erik, and homeschooled their daughter, Heather, bringing them to the tidepools, historic points of interest and natural habitat as part of their studies - a tradition that wife, Kimberly, says "spans three decades, three generations and many picnics."
The Cabrillo tradition is embraced by their extended family in Norway, Ireland and Canada as well. "A trip to Cabrillo is always at the top of our list when family comes to visit," Kimberly recalls. "It was also at the top of the list to visit the day Bob turned 62 so he could get his Senior Lifetime Pass," she jokes.
Adding to their list of memories, Bob and Kimberly joined the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation celebrating their 39th anniversary by attending the 2024 Cabrillo Under the Stars event.
Their experience at Cabrillo is replicated again and again as families find their way to the trails, history lessons, natural wonders and open spaces the park has to offer.
We would love to hear about your family traditions at Cabrillo. Email peggy@cnmf.org and share your story!
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Perched atop the stone wall overlooking the slopes to the west of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, four friends paused to breathe after making their way around the park.
Reminiscing about the story of a sisterhood that began forty-three years ago, Miriam, Babes, Lillian and Lucy recall how they formed bonds that have lasted a lifetime. Originally from the Philippines, the foursome met in college, forming strong friendships, then married and went their separate ways with Miriam and Lucy settling in San Diego. Reuniting regularly, they traveled from as far away as Hawaii and Saudi Arabia to see one another over the years. This year they gathered at Cabrillo National Monument, a special place where Miriam says she visits and takes visitors often.
There is something in the mere act of walking and talking amongst the natural beauty of Cabrillo National Monument that allows relationships to be discovered and rediscovered.
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Perhaps it is how we allow ourselves to truly tune into each other only when we are removed from our daily routines and distractions.
CNMF offers several opportunities each year to experience the park in unique ways. Joining as a member allows you to deepen your connection to the park while ensuring some of our most vital programs remain free and available to the public.
We hope to see you will join us at the park soon for a member event!
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For Ranger Amanda Gossard, being a park ranger is truly a family tradition. Both of her parents dedicated their careers to the National Park Service. Her father served at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Death Valley, and Petrified Forest National Park, while her mother, Terry, made a lasting impact during her 28-year tenure at Cabrillo National Monument.
Starting as an Administrative Assistant and later becoming the Admin Officer, Terry’s work deeply connected the family to the park.
Cabrillo National Monument became Amanda’s second home and her childhood playground, where she spent many formative years exploring its natural and cultural wonders.
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Over time, Amanda’s bond with the park grew as she advanced through various roles—beginning as a Junior Ranger, then becoming a volunteer, a Youth Conservation Corps member, a student intern, an entrance station employee, and the education coordinator.
Today, she proudly serves as the Program Manager for Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers, carrying forward her family’s legacy while inspiring others to connect with and protect this place that means so much to her.
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(Photos clockwise starting top left: Amanda behind the Visitor Center desk as a kid; Amanda as a teen-volunteer; Amanda and her Mom; Amanda now) | |
Cabrillo National Monument Foundation events are designed to connect people to the park. Become a CNMF member and start adding to your Cabrillo National Monument traditions! | |
Love Your Wetlands Day: Celebration and Outreach Opportunity | |
Join CNMF and CABR NPS on February 1st at Love Your Wetlands Day, hosted at UC San Diego's Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve in Mission Bay! | |
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This vibrant annual event celebrates the beauty and importance of coastal wetlands. Explore the reserve, discover how wetlands protect our planet, and engage with experts and community members working to preserve these incredible ecosystems. Activities will include guided marsh and kayak clean ups, guided birding, speeches by elected officials, cultural activities with Indigenous leaders, and more!
As co-hosts of this booth, CNMF and Cabrillo NPS aim to connect with visitors of all ages, sharing insights about conservation, the unique ecosystems of Cabrillo National Monument, and how we can all contribute to protecting our planet’s natural resources. By engaging directly with festival attendees, we aim to strengthen our network of collaborators, donors, and volunteers who contribute to the preservation and enhancement of Cabrillo National Monument and the surrounding environment.
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Love Your Park: Sip, Savor, & Support Cabrillo National Monument Foundation | | |
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Sip, savor, & support CNMF by dining at some of Point Loma’s most beloved eateries during the week of Valentine’s Day!
Love Your Park will take place from February 8th - 15th, 2025, during which, participating restaurants will donate a portion of sales from select menu items/sections to Cabrillo National Monument Foundation.
Full list of participating restaurants to be announced soon.
| Make Cabrillo your valentine this year! | |
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Cabrillo National Monument Foundation is the proud operator of the Cabrillo Park Store inside the Visitor Center. It accounts for 70% of the Foundation's income each year and funds important park programs that would not exist without your support.
See What's New in Store!
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New FireFly Books, Ltd. editions are in just in time for Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival and they are spectacular! FireFly's goal is to "bring readers beautifully produced books written by experts at reasonable prices." Be sure to check them out at the Visitor Center Store.
Member's, don't forget to ask for your store discount!
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We appreciate our members support of over 20 park programs that help to protect and preserve the park's resources and enhance the visitor experience. THANK YOU.
Sincerely,
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