October 2026 Updates for VIPs

Reporting for this fiscal year is due in October. Please be sure to have all hours reported on Volgistics by the end of September. Your hours make an impact in our park. Thank you!

Your time and dedication help Cabrillo shine and we want to make sure every minute you give counts. Please take a moment to log your volunteer hours using Volgistics:

It only takes a few minutes, and it helps us recognize your contributions, plan ahead, and meet important goals. Thank you!

Open Tower Day

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Celebrate the Old Point Loma's Lighthouse First Lighting Anniversary!

Join us on Sunday, November 15th as we celebrate the anniversary marking the first lighting of the Old Point Loma lighthouse by opening the tower to visitors!

🗼Open Tower Day is one of Cabrillo's signature special events and one of few opportunities each year for visitors to enjoy guided access to the lantern deck. It takes a coordinated team of volunteers to create a safe, welcoming and memorable experience.

✅Volunteer Roles

Shifts are now available in Volgistics under Special Event VIP.

Available roles include:

• Ticket Table
• Bag Check
• Entrance Support
• Parlor & Kitchen Interpreters
• Tower Gallery Interpreter
• Tower Top Safety Support
• Floater
• Setup & Breakdown

Interested in becoming a Tower Tour Guide? Please contact Ranger Sandy directly. Tour Guides are assigned separately.

🤔What to Expect

• Guided tours throughout the day
• Team-based event operations
• Clear safety procedures for ladder and tower access
• Opportunities to interpret lighthouse history and assist visitors
• A rewarding experience helping visitors enjoy one of Cabrillo's most iconic landmarks

👩🏽‍💻Open Tower Day Volunteer Orientation

A one-hour virtual training session will be held on Tuesday, November 10th from 3PM-4PM, prior to the event for all participating volunteers.

During the training, we'll:

• Review the event schedule and visitor flow
• Discuss volunteer roles and expectations
• Cover tower safety procedures
• Preview the lighthouse using our 360° virtual tour
• Answer questions before event day

Additional event information and training materials will be emailed to registered volunteers.

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NPS Flyer | S. Hernandez

Save the Date flyer for Open Tower Day at Cabrillo National Monument on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM–3:30 PM at the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Featuring the historic lighthouse, the flyer invites VIPs and staff to help celebrate the founding of the National Park Service. Volunteer roles include bag check, safety rovers, interpreters, tower station support, tour guides, and event setup and breakdown. Volunteers can sign up for training and event shifts in VicNet.

In this issue:

• IEV Updates: VIP Recognition Event Recap & TPERP Updates

• What's On the VIP Voice? Kelvin Waves, Sea Turtles and Snakes, Oh My! & October Tides

• CNMF Partner News: Inside of Cabrillo's Newest Field Trip: 'Our Urban Watershed, Old Point Loma Lighthouse 360 Tour, and CNMF's Emily Moore Awarded Trailblazer Status

Cabrillo's Annual Whale Watch Festival 2027 🌊

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Hello Whale Watch Festival Community,

We’re excited to share that Cabrillo National Monument’s Whale Watch Festival is on for 2027, and we’d love for you to be part of it once again! This year, we’ve shifted the festival to the first weekend in February.

In past years, our earlier dates fell at the very start of the gray whale migration, and we weren’t seeing the volume of whales we hoped for. By moving the festival a few weeks later, we’re aligning with the peak of the migration to offer visitors a higher chance of spotting whales. 

📅 Save the Date:

Saturday, February 6th, 2027 ✅

📍 Cabrillo National Monument



Each year, our festival celebrates the incredible gray whale migration and brings together scientists, educators, environmental organizations, artists, and ocean lovers from across the region.

Your past contributions have helped make this event a success, and we hope to welcome you back for another great day of celebrating these magnificent mammals and the ocean that sustains them. 

🌟 An RSVP email with additional event details will be sent out on

November 6th. 🌟

We look forward to celebrating another memorable Whale Watch Festival with you!

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Advertising Infographic | Adriana W. CNMF

Human made flyer advertising Cabrillo National Monument's 2027 Whale Watch Festival taking place on Saturday February 6th, from 9AM to 4PM. This event is possible thanks to Cabrillo National Monument Foundation's sponsorship. The infographic has a dark pastel Tea and green theme with whale tales displayed to support the events details.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities 🫟

NPS Photo | S. Stembridge

Three volunteers are captured while assisting in the restoration of the Loma Lighthouse's fence. There is one NPS employee at the forefront taking a selfie; behind her, two more NPS employees are by the fence holding paint brushes and paint rollers. The three of them are smiling, protected by the scorching sun with hat and sunglasses. The ocean is glittering brilliantly behind them as they stand in a breath-taking landscape.

🌹VIP Spotlight: Mary Rose 🌹

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Have you have ever wondered what it looks like when you spend your time living your life to the fullest? Well, lucky for everyone here at Cabrillo who has had the honor of meeting Mary Rose, we know how much love and joy someone who does it all has to offer.

This month we are shouting out VIP Mary Rose who went above and beyond in decorating and setting up our VIP Recognition event. From a giant Gumby to a glowing sign reading 'Sandy's Cafe', Mary Rose pulled out all the stops to immerse us into the classic retro vibes of the 50's. Her contribution and efforts brought attendees lots of laughs and joy! A big heartfelt THANK YOU from all of us.

If setting up an entire event with customized props from the 50's wasn't enough, Mary Rose also hosted a watch party for the annual appearance of Glowing Fireworms in Mission Bay. This event was open to anyone interested in joining. We saw staff, volunteers, friends and families come together to watch the glow of the worms intensify as the night grew dark.

Amazing VIPs like Mary Rose are what makes Cabrillo's VIP team truly special. Thank you, Mary Rose, for all that you do in bringing together our communities for new knowledge, exciting experiences and sharing your light! Your brilliance does not go unrecognized! 💖

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📬 Want to nominate a fellow VIP for a future spotlight?

Email us at cabr_volunteers@nps.gov.

How Did We Shine? Kudos 🌞

Each month, we love sharing visitor feedback and volunteer shout-outs that highlight the incredible impact our team makes here at Cabrillo. These kudos remind us how every smile, answer, tour, and behind-the-scenes effort adds up to something special. Here are this month’s highlights:

“Place is clean and spotless. Staff and volunteers are nice and helpful.

Great people here.💖 ” 

For all Park Staff 🤠

“Great guide and source of information. Hopefully a good photographer." 😆

For VIP Bob "Extraordinary" 🥳

“Very informative, friendly and kind." 😇

For anonymous VIP in the Visitor Center. 🏆



💌 Want to share your appreciation?

If you’ve seen a fellow volunteer go above and beyond, or received a kind word from a visitor, send it our way! We’d love to include more kudos in future newsletters.

📧 Email your submissions to: cabr_volunteers@nps.gov

Let’s keep lifting each other up! 🌟

The IEV Office Haunting 🦇

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🌞The IEV office's spirit remains as high as this fall's temperatures have been!

After the historical heatwave we experienced the last few weeks, we are happy to embrace the cooling winds rolling in the haunting promise of well-deserved drops in temperature.

Nonetheless, keep that sunscreen on and water bottles filled. Stay cool out there VIPs.

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NPS Photo | VIP M. Rose

The image displayed has a dark backdrop as the glowing outline of a Jack-o-Lantern illuminates a spooky face with carved out features of flames and fangs. There is a Cabrillo VIP hat placed on the head of the pumpkin with the VIP badge illuminated by a flashlight.

VIP Recognition Event Highlights🎉

Class Never Fades

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As the nights cooling breeze rolled in on a warm September evening, visitors were ushered out; tape, glue, table clothes, decorations, ladders, Gumby's, Jenson's caterers and staff were seen flying around Cabrillo's park grounds. Now, I can hear your thoughts from here:

"After hours??? That can't be, Cabrillo National Monument closes at 5pm promptly."

Yes, that is a strict rule enforced at our park; but every so often, a special occasion calls for the gate keepers to allow after hour entry to honorary guests. Who more honorary than the VIP's who devote their efforts to keeping our park as classy and cool as them. 😎

Attendees enjoyed a night full of retro fun, good food, amazing views and beautiful company. With our parks various programs taking place at various hours, it is special when we all come together and share stories from our time at a place we all love. Volunteers were gifted recognition items that ranged from insulated water bottles, bandanas and ankle socks -- all featuring adorable designs that highlight all the fun species and monuments we see every day at Cabrillo! 🦅

And for those of you who couldn't join us -- don't worry, your VIP goodies remain safe and sound waiting for your return. If you missed the event and would still like to pick up your volunteer goodies, please send us an email to cabr_volunteers@nps.gov and we will make sure you get your well-deserved swag.

🌠Thank you to all VIPs that showed up and allowed Cabrillo staff to show some love and recognition. And thank you to every volunteer for your continued incredible contributions, enthusiasm and heart!

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NPS Photo | E. Ruvalcaba

There is a large photo at the beginning of the entry where IEV staff aiding in hosting Cabrillo's VIP Recognition Event are seen smiling next to the 50's themed welcome sign. Left to right we see: Charlotte, Esther, Ranger Sandy, Hannah and Sam. A Giant Gumby, who was a guest at this event, has been photoshopped in next to the smiling girls. The women are happy as they are illuminated by the glow of the setting sun.

At the end of the article, there is a 2x3 collage of photos captured at the event. They are described left to right; up to down as follows: (1) VIPs are huddled in front of the auditorium as Ranger Amanda and Ranger Sandy deliver their speeches. The photo wall with a giant vinyl and giant Gumby are in view; (2) VIPs are captured enjoying their meal in the outdoor area in front of the visitor's center. The guests are captured communing with the sun setting behind them. (3) Ranger Sandy is posed in front of a 50's themed sign reading "Sandy's Cafe". She is smiling holding her hands up to show of the sign. (4) VIP Mona and her furry companion Molly are captured in front of the photo wall. They are dressed in their best 50's attire, glowing and looking beautiful. (5) VIP is captured taking a selfie with Ranger Sandy in front of the same photo wall. (6) Ranger Amanda candidly caught hula hooping.

TPERP Updates 🦈

Precautionary Tales

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Last weekend, we experienced heavy amounts of flooding, strong wind speeds and bluff erosion. As unprecedented weather conditions continue, note that the tides have been showing an increase of 1-2 feet compared to our tide calendar predictions.

During high tide times, this increased tide height results in giant waves crashing into and over our cliffside bluffs. Charolotte, our amazing TPERP coordinator, and her wonderful VIPs are on high alert providing us the hands, eyes and ears we need to monitor these conditions and take the measures necessary to keep everyone onsite safe and aware.

With unexpected outcomes unveiling themselves this King Tide season, we caution VIPs to remain vigilant in case of times where heavy radio traffic is taking place as park staff communicates important precautions to be weary of.

🎂30 and Flirty

TPERP is celebrating its 30th Birthday this November! As one of our largest VIP programs here at Cabrillo, we would like to recognize the importance and impact this program has had -- and continues to have -- on our park.

With over 90 VIPs and an amazing team managing the protection, preservation and education of our tidepools, TPERP's efforts keep our park strong.

Happy Birthday TPERP! Here's to another 30! 🎂

🦞What’s In The Tidepools- Send in your tidepool finds to Dan at cnmvipvoice@gmail.com!

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NPS Photo | K. Ingrande

The photo captures Cabrillo's cliffside bluffs impacted by the large waves produced by El Nino's higher than usual tides. There is a large boulder centered in the middle of the photo with a large wave crashing over it. In the background, there are blue skies and plenty of sunlight.

What's On the VIP Voice?

Executive Director, Emily Moore, is honored with Trailblazer status by National Park Foundation

From history-makers to today’s changemakers, meet the people protecting and caring for our parks. With support from NPF, their impact reaches further and ensures parks endure and thrive.