Over the last 50 years, the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF), a “cooperating association” and independent foundation affiliated with San Diego’s sole national park, has raised and donated more than $1.6 million in critical financial support for the park, which occupies the southern portion of Point Loma.
On Tuesday, Oct. 31, Supervisor Greg Cox presented a proclamation from the county’s Board of Supervisors honoring the foundation’s 50th anniversary and declaring that day Cabrillo National Monument Day throughout San Diego County. Accepting on behalf of the foundation were Board of Trustees Chairman Joshua Weinman, CNMF Executive Director Karen Eccles and Cabrillo National Monument (CNM) Superintendent Terry Di Mattio.
According to Cox, a former social studies teacher, the importance of the park and its support organization is clear.
“We’re dealing with something that’s integral to the history and the evolution of what’s now San Diego. It’s a uniquely San Diego facility. It focuses not only on Cabrillo’s discovery of San Diego Bay but also on the history of the lighthouse and the natural resources, the tide pools, flora and fauna of Point Loma,” Cox said.
The volunteers’ contribution is especially noteworthy, he added.
“The funds that have been raised have been plowed back to provide educational materials, improvements to the facilities and services for the park. It’s the volunteers who give freely of their time that are the stewards.”
Originally called the Cabrillo Historical Association, it was incorporated as a non-profit in 1956. It assumed its current name, which is more reflective of its activities, in 1997.
The foundation operates the park bookstore and publishes and provides books and other educational and interpretive materials. It also has funded scientific research and special events, provided seed money for planning projects and exhibitions, and supports the Volunteers-in-the-Parks and school tour programs.
Weinman, a Point Loma resident, encouraged San Diegans to experience the park and its incomparable ocean views.
“It’s one of the most beautiful settings. It’s identifiable with San Diego as almost no other place. It always takes your breath away,” he said.
Eccles pointed out that CNMF is a membership organization. Among benefits of membership are free admission to the park, a 15% discount at the shop and member-only events, such as lectures, the Moonwalk (a ranger-led hike on the San Diego Bay-front trails by the light of the full moon) and the Star Party. Annual memberships begin at $35 for individuals and $75 for families.
“It’s a great way for people to become involved with their local national park,” Eccles said.
In this era of diminishing federal support for parks and tight budgets, Superintendent Di Mattio “” who started his career with the National Park Service at Cabrillo and returned as superintendent in 1990 “” has no doubt about the importance of the foundation.
“It provides us with the funds that allow us to provide an extra measure of excellence and enhance our interpretive programs,” he said.
The foundation funded the original scientific research resulting in the current tide pool monitoring program over a six-year period.
“The information we gathered from that study led us to initiate the tide pool protection, education and restoration program in 1996 and to commit to hiring our own marine biologist so we could better protect this resource on behalf of the public,” he said.
The foundation has also funded publication of several books documenting the natural history of Point Loma and a new tide pool video, all of which are available in the park bookstore, as well as initial designs for reconstruction of the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters.
“We could not do the job we do without the help and support of the foundation,” Di Mattio added.
For more information or to become a member, visit www.cnmf.org or call (619) 222-4747.