Preservation

Our Environmental Commitment

Dedicated to a Healthy Planet

It's the mission of Cabrillo National Monument to preserve the park's resources and serve the public in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner. We are dedicated to demonstrating environmental leadership through the implementation of sustainable and best management practices; the use of alternative energy; energy efficient appliances, vehicles, instruments, and power tools; recycling; and the use of recycled and recyclable products as an integral part of the park's operation in the accomplishment of our mission.

Recently, the National Park Service issued "Environmental Purchasing in the National Park Service - A How-To Guide," which steers us in the management of an effective environmental program. The Guide states:

As the single largest employer and consumer of goods and services, the Federal government's footprint is significant with economic, social, and environmental impacts on local and regional communities where government facilities operate and function. "Greening the Government" is a phrase that has gained popularity among Federal agencies and describes a wide variety of efforts undertaken to reduce government's overall environmental impact.

Cabrillo National Monument takes "Greening the Government" seriously, and applies it to our everyday activities. It's our policy reduce both visitor and staff waste through the regular recycling of the following:

Paper

Fiberboard

Glass

Aluminum

Plastic

Batteries

Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts

Carpet

Motor oil

Antifreeze

Information technology equipment

Recycling containers have been conveniently placed next to trash cans in visitor use areas and parking lots, to encourage visitor recycling.

For educational school field trips to the park, we have developed a Zero-Waste Lunch Program, consisting of handouts and pre- and post-visit activities to encourage recycling and waste reduction.

We purchase products with a minimum amount of packaging, and actively encourage vendors and manufacturers to reduce packaging.

For in-park travel, staff utilizes donated electric GEM and Think vehicles, and 25% of our vehicle fleet is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

We strive to reduce the use of fossil fuels through the use of alternative energy, including solar and natural gas, and the incorporation of energy-saving features in the park's buildings, including natural light, insulation, and passive ventilation.

We purchase environmentally-preferred products made of post-consumer recycled and recyclable materials. An example of some of the green products we purchase:

Paper

File folders

Printer cartridges

Carpet

Barricades

Plastic lumber for benches and erosion control

Antifreeze

Motor oil

Trash bags

Paper towels

Coffee filters

Pens and pencils

We purchase the most energy-efficient appliances, instruments, and tools compared to cost to give the taxpayers the best value

We use water-based and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints and stains.

We reduced our chemical inventory, phasing out most cleaning chemicals and use Simple Green-D, in addition to utilizing environmentally safe products in the cleaning, care, and maintenance of the contemporary facilities and historic structures and museum collection.

The park initiated an Environmental Management System (EMS), a Servicewide program where parks can evaluate what impacts they may be having on the resources and how to minimize, mitigate, or eliminate the impacts. There is a rigorous tracking process to allow for full documentation of these impacts and solutions year by year.

The vending machines in the Visitor Center complex have been fitted with Vend-Misers to reduce energy consumption during times when the machines are inactive, such as at night and during low visitation periods.

We share best management practices with the visiting public and other parks.

We encourage you to look at additional ways that you can reduce, reuse, and recycle - and join the National Park Service in maintaining a healthy planet.

Herpetological Surveys

The Health of Herps

For over ten years, Cabrillo National Monument has been involved in a cooperative effort to monitor the health and population status of "herps." Park Rangers and volunteers here continue to conduct herpetological survey efforts that were initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Dr. Robert Fisher in 1995. The protocol and techniques were directly adopted from the USGS in order to continue the survey effort with no loss of or change in data collection. The sampling technique and protocol are virtually identical to that described in the document "Herpetological Monitoring Using a Pitfall Trapping Design in Southern California", USGS, 2003.

Seventeen arrays have been established and are located throughout the Point Loma Ecological Conservation Area, a cooperative land management partnership for the native habitat on the Point Loma peninsula. The Navy and the National Park Service are the predominant landowners, and arrays are scattered on these two agency's lands to accurately capture information about species present on a variety of habitats (e.g., coastal compared to east-facing bayside habitats, sandy washes, exposed south-facing slopes, drainages, disturbed areas). The other landowners with interest in this project and members of the PLECA include the U.S. Coast Guard, the City of San Diego Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sampling occurs once a month for four survey nights per session with the help of volunteers. In addition to the pitfall traps and funnel traps used for snake capture as referenced in the USGS report, boards approximately three-foot square are placed near each array arm. These are checked each day in association with the pitfall traps to check specifically for California legless lizards (Anniella pulchra) and smaller snakes.

Data is collected and recorded in the field using handheld "Palm" personal computers and associated datasheets. The forms have been developed by USGS and are the same as those used by their staff. Recording the data electronically reduces data entry error that might otherwise occur from the handwritten data forms to the computer. The data collected is directly downloaded to an Access database in the office. Data is downloaded daily and reviewed by the field technician to look for obvious errors or problems with the transfer of data from the handheld to the desk computer. HOBO® (Onset Computer Corporation) are used to collect weather data. HOBO are hand-held pieces of equipment that automatically record temperature. This information is also downloaded directly to a computer. Data is regularly forwarded to USGS for inclusion in the regional databases of records for southern California.

The USGS recently conducted a statistical review of the sampling effort. The results are summarized in the document "Sampling Design Optimization and Establishment of Baselines for Herpetofauna Arrays at the Point Loma Ecological Reserve", USGS, 2003. After additional peer review of the results, aspects of the sampling may change slightly (e.g., removing some of the arrays). This report addressed the arrays be sampled, the number of days of sampling, and the ability of the survey to address the following questions:

• What species are currently found at the Point Loma Ecological Conservation Area versus species that have been historically found in this area?
• Are any of the targeted species listed showing declines at present?

Additionally, it is hoped the survey will address the question of how many arrays, sampling periods, and sampling days per sampling period would be needed to detect a

• 30% drop in species richness
• 30% drop in the relative abundance of orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidophorus hyperythrus) and striped races (Masticophis lateralis)
• Some measure of drop in abundance or occupancy of western ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) and southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)

The cooperative efforts of the National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey are critical in ensuring the health of "herps," a vital part of the ecosystem on the Point Loma peninsula and at Cabrillo National Monument. Through these efforts, reptiles and amphibians will continue to be here as a part of a healthy environment and for the enjoyment of future generations of visitors.

Reptiles and Amphibians at Cabrillo National Monument

The following was written by Alicia Pinto, a recent Intern at CabrilloNational Monument and Biology student at Humbolt State University

Point Loma Herpetology Survey - The Largest Ever

In progress is a multi-year survey of reptiles and amphibians sponsored by California Fish and Game along with the University of California. The Point Loma site here at Cabrillo National Monument is among the twenty-two sites being surveyed throughout three counties in coastal southern California. The overuse of pesticides, herbicides, and other forms of human contact have diminished 95% of original coastal sage scrub vegetation. In effect, the decline in vegetation has taken a vital toll on the native reptile and amphibian habitat here at Cabrillo National Monument. This concern has driven many herpetologists - biologists studying the reptiles and amphibians - to survey the existing reptiles and amphibians within the remaining coastal sage scrub community. Our hopes are to learn who, where, when, and what is left roaming the priceless vegetation.

During a three year period, every six weeks for ten days, herpetologists and Volunteers capture, identify, log, weigh, measure, and collect DNA samples of the various herpetofauna still found at the park. Beginning July of 1995, the survey is now in its tenth year. The captures and data collected thus far are already helping herpetologists and all of us to better appreciate the role of reptiles and amphibians in Point Loma's Coastal Sage Scrub ecosystem.

Some Notes on Snakes and Lizards

If you have made it this far then you are ready - and hopefully eager - to learn more about the characteristics and habits of snakes and lizards on Point Loma. These creatures are often seen basking on a rock or tree limb soaking up the San Diego sunshine. Unlike human sun bathers who are usually lying in the sun for tanning purposes, the cold-blooded reptile absorbs the heat to keep their body temperature at a comfortable level.

Your chances of observing a California Striped Racer Snake (Masticophus lateralis lateralis) are much better than spotting a Southern Pacific rattlesnake or any other snake found at on Point Loma. This is because the racer needs daylight to see its prey. Most other snakes have poor eyesight, but the racer has excellent eyesight. A racer looks for food by lifting its head off the ground to see what prey is nearby. It also has the ability to climb trees in search for bird eggs. The California Striped Racer tends to be black on its back and soft pink on its belly. It also has two noticeable off-white, almost pale yellowish, lateral stripes running down both sides of its back. Unlike the rattlesnake, it is not venomous

A popular lizard found scurrying amongst the vegetation at Cabrillo National Monument is the orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidophorus hyperythrus). This creature has a bright orange belly and a brownish back with tan stripes extending from its head to the base of its tail. The females are less colorful than the males to keep them from being sighted by predators when carrying eggs. This particular specie has been labeled a "sensitive specie," and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list it as endangered or threatened because of its declining population.

Also seen on Point Loma is the California legless lizard (Anniella pulchra pulchra). Without legs this lizard is often mistaken for a snake. Although it is legless, it still has eyelids which snakes do not have. The lizard is restricted to California and Northern Baja California and is found no where else in the world. Along with the orange-throated whiptail, its population is declining and may be listed as endangered or threatened.

The two species of rattlesnakes found at Cabrillo National Monument are the Southern Pacific (Croatalus viridis helleri) and the Northern Red Diamond (Croatalus ruber rubber). Often heard but not seen is the sound of a rattle at the end of a rattlesnake's long body. A baby rattlesnake is born with only one rattle on its tail, but adds a new one each time it sheds its skin. After the rattlesnake has about twelve rattles, the string of rattles normally breaks off and new ones start to grow. Though rarely seen, be cautious of the possibility that a snake is present - stay on trails when visiting the park.

The Park Rangers and Volunteers encourage you to come discover a gallivanting lizard or slithering snake at Cabrillo National Monument. Many of our visitors encounter the live reptiles on the Bayside Trail. For more information once you're here at the park, stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a Natural History Checklist.

Shorebird Monitoring

Thirteen Years of Shorebird Monitoring in the Rocky Intertidal Zone

Contributed by Cabrillo National Monument Chief of Natural Resource Science Andrea Compton and Marine Biologist Bonnie Becker

As you explore Cabrillo National Monument's rocky intertidal area, you might notice National Park Service (NPS) staff or volunteers steadily working their way north to south, from Zones I to II (open to the public) and through Zone III (closed for research and protection purposes), and peering through binoculars with clipboard in hand. The Natural Resource Science (NRS) Division is tracking the wading birds, shorebirds, and gulls that are potentially feeding within the rocky intertidal area. In addition, the number of people using each zone is also counted. Each winter and spring when the tides fall at zero or below during the day, the staff and volunteers conduct this research to detect changes in species over time and to evaluate the relationships between human use and foraging bird species. An hour of survey effort is centered around the low tide.

This research was first initiated in 1990 by Dr. Gary Davis (NPS) and Dr. Jack Engle (UC Santa Barbara) and is associated with the broader tidepool monitoring efforts that occur each fall and spring. In 1996, the responsibilities for this research were transferred to the NRS Division who continues with this now. Shorebird sampling for this winter and spring began in November 2002 and continued through May 2003.

After 13 years of reporting, the data are showing some interesting results. There are 21 species or groups (e.g., terns) that regularly use the rocky intertidal areas. These species are listed below. A total of 43 bird species (27,309 total individuals) total have been recorded. The most common species is the western gull (Larus occidentalis). When considering the possible influence of people, 29,629people have been recorded in Zone I, 8,570 people have been recorded in Zone II, and 2487 (361 after the closure in 1996) people have been recorded in Zone III on a total of 706 days of survey efforts. The relationship between the number of people and the number of birds can be seen in the associated graph that shows a trend of fewer birds using the rocky intertidal area when more people are present.

Some Common Winter Shorebirds at CabrilloNational Monument

WADING BIRDS

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Brown Pelican

SHORE BIRDS

Black-bellied Plover

Willet

Wandering Tattler

Spotted Sandpiper

Marbled Godwit

Whimbrel

Ruddy Turnstone

Black Turnstone

Surfbird

Sanderling

GULLS

Western Gull

Herring Gull

California Gull

Heerman's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Mew Gull

Fire Management

UPDATE:

The National Park Service Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Naval Base Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument Joint Wildland Fire Management Plan has been signed. Click here to download the FONSI (pdf).

Joint U.S. Navy and Cabrillo National Monument Wildland Fire Management Plan

Superintendent Terry DiMattio announced the release of the Naval Base Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument Joint Wildland Fire Management Plan (JWFMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA). The purpose of the JWFMP is to protect personnel, facilities, and natural and cultural resources from the impacts of wildland fire; prioritize assets to be protected in the event of fire; ensure the perpetuation of native terrestrial habitats, fire adapted plant communities and rare species; and minimize the total cost of fire pre-suppression and suppression on lands owned by the United States Navy and National Park Service (NPS) on Point Loma.

The JWFMP, developed over the last few years by the NPS and Navy, is the first for Point Loma, and will guide wildland fire management at CabrilloNational Monument and Naval Base Point Loma for the next five years. As the largest land owners within the Federal reservation on Point Loma, the NPS and Navy have vegetation that could burn in a wildfire and are, therefore, required under Federal wildland fire policy to prepare a fire management plan for addressing that possibility.

Said DiMattio, "The proposed approach for the JWFMP is straightforward: (1) Suppress all wildland fires as soon as possible regardless of whether they were caused by humans or nature; (2) Protect structures through the use of fire-safe building materials and the creation of survivable space around each building that cannot afford to be lost; (3) Create fuel modification zones along public roads by removing exotic species and trimming native species to reduce the likelihood of accidental ignitions; and (4) Conduct four, small scale (30m x 30m) research burns at Cabrillo NM to ascertain the effect of fire on maritime succulent scrub and southern maritime chaparral habitats after decades of not having been burned, identify plants that may have been lost due to the lack of fire, and evaluate the options for achieving ecological goals and managing native species."

A 30-day public review and comment period closed on August 25, 2006, and comments received during that period are in the process of being reviewed, analyzed, and implemented where appropriate.

For a look at the JWFMP, click here (large PDF document).

Shorebird Monitoring at the Tidepools

Thirteen Years of Shorebird Monitoring in the Rocky Intertidal Zone

Contributed by Cabrillo National Monument Chief of Natural Resource Science Andrea Compton and Marine Biologist Bonnie Becker

As you explore Cabrillo National Monument's rocky intertidal area, you might notice National Park Service (NPS) staff or volunteers steadily working their way north to south, from Zones I to II (open to the public) and through Zone III (closed for research and protection purposes), and peering through binoculars with clipboard in hand. The Natural Resource Science (NRS) Division is tracking the wading birds, shorebirds, and gulls that are potentially feeding within the rocky intertidal area. In addition, the number of people using each zone is also counted. Each winter and spring when the tides fall at zero or below during the day, the staff and volunteers conduct this research to detect changes in species over time and to evaluate the relationships between human use and foraging bird species. An hour of survey effort is centered around the low tide.

This research was first initiated in 1990 by Dr. Gary Davis (NPS) and Dr. Jack Engle (UC Santa Barbara) and is associated with the broader tidepool monitoring efforts that occur each fall and spring. In 1996, the responsibilities for this research were transferred to the NRS Division who continues with this now. Shorebird sampling for this winter and spring began in November 2002 and continued through May 2003.

After 13 years of reporting, the data are showing some interesting results. There are 21 species or groups (e.g., terns) that regularly use the rocky intertidal areas. These species are listed below. A total of 43 bird species (27,309 total individuals) total have been recorded. The most common species is the western gull (Larus occidentalis). When considering the possible influence of people, 29,629people have been recorded in Zone I, 8,570 people have been recorded in Zone II, and 2487 (361 after the closure in 1996) people have been recorded in Zone III on a total of 706 days of survey efforts. The relationship between the number of people and the number of birds can be seen in the associated graph that shows a trend of fewer birds using the rocky intertidal area when more people are present.

Some Common Winter Shorebirds at CabrilloNational Monument

WADING BIRDS

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Brown Pelican

SHORE BIRDS

Black-bellied Plover

Willet

Wandering Tattler

Spotted Sandpiper

Marbled Godwit

Whimbrel

Ruddy Turnstone

Black Turnstone

Surfbird

Sanderling

GULLS

Western Gull

Herring Gull

California Gull

Heerman's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Mew Gull

Zero-Waste Lunch Program

Cabrillo National Monument and the National Park Service are committed to building and maintaining a healthy planet. You can play a vital part in our efforts when you bring your class to the park.

• Our Zero Waste Picnic is a comprehensive program that teaches your students the value of the Three R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
• The Children's Recycling Activity is a great way to get kids thinking about the Three R's and how they can help our environment.

Together we can work towards a planet that is a healthy home to thriving ecosystems!

Centennial Iniative 2016

OnAugust 25, 2006- the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne launched the National Park Centennial Initiative to prepare national parks for another century of conservation, preservation and enjoyment. Since then the National Park Service asked citizens, park partners, experts and other stakeholders what they envisioned for a second century of national parks.

A nationwide series of more than 40 listening sessions produced more than 6,000 comments that helped to shape five centennial goals. The goals and vision were presented to President Bush and to the American people on May 31st in a report called The Future of America's National Parks.

Every national park staff took their lead from this report and created local centennial strategies to describe their vision and desired accomplishments by 2016. This is just the first year, and there are many great things to come as the National Park Service prepares to celebrate 100 years!

To keep up with the Centennial Initiative and to experience the interactive version of The Future of America's National Parks and special features please visit the centennial website at www.nps.gov/2016.

Click here to read about Cabrillo National Monument's Centennial Strategy.