2024-2025

Impact Report

In 2024–2025, Cabrillo National Monument Foundation helped thousands of students discover the magic of their national park, funded vital conservation work across fragile habitats, and enriched the experience of nearly one million park visitors.

Together, we’re ensuring Cabrillo National Monument is an inspiring destination for all San Diegans and visitors worldwide to enjoy today and for generations to come.

$253,486

Aid to Cabrillo National Monument

Each year, Cabrillo National Monument leadership requests aid from the CNMF Board of Trustees for park projects that represent the park’s highest priorities, support their core operations, and protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

$153,163

In grants secured to fund 20+ park programs

Areas of Funding (%)

    • Jr Ranger Program

    • Guided Tours

    • Virtual Talks

    • Training

    • Tidepool Protection, Education, and Restoration Program (TPERP)

    • Tidepool Protection, Education, and Restoration Program (TPERP)

    • Native Plant Restoration

    • Greenhouse

    • Old Point Loma Lighthouse

    • Accessibility

    • Park Events

    • Guided Tours

    • Jr Ranger Program

    • Snake Ambassadors

    • Science Explorers Cart

    • Volunteer Support

Education

Hands-on Learning at Cabrillo

At Cabrillo National Monument, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door — it happens with feet in the tidepools and hands-on experiences in the natural world. Through programs funded by Cabrillo National Monument Foundation, students and educators experience science, history, and conservation in ways that ignite curiosity and build lasting stewardship.

From ranger-led field trips to self-guided Jr. Ranger journeys, thousands of students discovered the park’s rich coastal ecosystems, and uncovered stories of San Diego’s history in their city’s very own national park.

1,400 students across San Diego County explored Cabrillo National Monument on school field trips, and 22 Title I schools received field trip bus funding thanks to the Open Outdoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation.

8,000+ Jr. Ranger booklets were printed with direct financial aid provided by CNMF. These booklets are distributed for free to park visitors throughout the year, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of park advocacy and stewardship.

Your Impact in Action:

Transporting San Diego’s Students to Their National Park

- Cabrillo National Monument Science Educator, Samantha Buck

“Fourth grade is such a pivotal age. It’s the perfect time to make that first introduction to environmental stewardship and show kids all the awesomeness that nature has to offer. A lot of students don’t always have the chance to get outside, so these field trips can really spark something lasting.”

Visitor Education in the Intertidal Zone

Drawing upwards of 250,000 visitors in 2025, Cabrillo’s intertidal zone requires year-round protectors, advocates, and educators. Since 1996, the Tidepool Protection, Education, and Restoration Program Volunteer team (TPERP), has been this informed and visible presence in the intertidal zone. CNMF provides direct financial aid to TPERP that is used to fund safety supplies, education materials, volunteer development trainings, and other necessary equipment.

In 2025, CNMF funds provided essential safety gear, educational books and pamphlets, tidepool clean-up supplies, and other essential tools for the park’s 80-person Tidepool Protection, Education, and Restoration Program (TPERP) volunteer team.

Connecting our Community to Cabrillo

CNMF sponsored the 2025 Monumental Conference, where TPERP volunteers learned from park scientists about new trail monitoring technology, native bee research, and resource management efforts.

In 2025, CNMF continued growing our Outreach Program, designed to connect locals and far-off visitors alike to San Diego’s national park. Throughout the year, CNMF participated in community events across San Diego County, met with with thousands of new people, shared about the opportunities available at the park, and educated our community about how they can care for their public lands.

CNMF invited community groups to volunteer at Cabrillo National Monument, including the REI San Diego store team (pictured above). In facilitating park volunteer opportunities, CNMF aims to increase support and philanthropy for Cabrillo National Monument across San Diego.

CNMF met and engaged with more than 2,000 community members at fairs and festivals across San Diego County. CNMF booth visitors learn about Cabrillo National Monument, education and recreation opportunities at the park, and how to support their public lands.

Conservation

Preserving Park Habitats, One Native Plant at a Time

At Cabrillo National Monument, conservation is an ongoing, hands-on mission. With support from Cabrillo National Monument Foundation, thousands of native plants were grown in the park’s greenhouse for habitat restoration, a specialized arborist was funded to defend the park’s rare Torrey Pines from disease, and Weed Warrior volunteers were equipped with tools to successfully remove invasive flora throughout the park. These focused efforts ensure that Cabrillo’s fragile coastal ecosystems remain healthy, resilient, and protected for future generations of wildlife and visitors alike.

Over 1,800 native plants were grown in the park’s native plant greenhouse in 2025, including rare plants like the Shaw’s agave (Agave shawii). CNMF provides funding to support the greenhouse infrastructure and operations that allow 100% of the plants used in Cabrillo’s restoration efforts to be grown in the greenhouse.

The plants grown in the greenhouse are propagated from existing specimens at the park. This causes the seedlings to be more genetically attuned to the specific microclimates at the park than a plant purchased at a nursery, and thus are more likely to thrive in Cabrillo’s unique climate and terrain.

Your Impact in Action:

Saving Cabrillo’s Rare Torrey Pines

In the summer of 2025, bark beetles struck two of our beloved Torrey Pines near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Disease mitigation was urgent, and CNMF acted fast in funding a specialized arborist to provide care to the trees. The trees have since received insecticide injections and a heavy pruning to mitigate the damage and spread of the disease. This project is ongoing, but thus far, the trees have received a hopeful prognosis.

The Visitor Experience

Enhancing the Visitor Experience

In 2025, CNMF provided essential funding to programs and experiences that bring Cabrillo National Monument to life for visitors from near and far. From celebrating and supporting volunteers to co-hosting the Whale Watch Weekend & Intertidal Life Festival, these investments help create meaningful, accessible experiences for all visitors, deepening their connection to the park’s rich natural, historic, and cultural heritage.

The Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) program provides vital support for daily park operations, comprised of more than 200 active volunteers contributing time equal to 12 full-time park rangers. In 2025, CNMF honored our VIPs with an annual celebration and awards ceremony recognizing their dedication and impact on the park.

The Cabrillo National Monument Lighthouse draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the park each year. In 2025, CNMF provided essential funding for supplies used in cleaning the lighthouse lens, supported ongoing maintenance efforts, and funded the Lighthouse Kitchen Garden living history exhibit.

Your Impact in Action:

Whale Watch Weekend & Intertidal Life Festival

Over 3,100 visitors attended Cabrillo National Monument’s 2-day Whale Watch Weekend & Intertidal Life Festival, sponsored and co-hosted by CNMF. This community event featured guest speakers, educational art activities, environmental nonprofits, and ranger led land-based whale watching. Attendees of all ages explored San Diego’s national park, while learning about our ocean and intertidal ecosystems, Grey Whale migration, Marine Protected Areas, and how to care for our public lands and waterways.

8 Speakers

Comprised of scientists, environmental non-profit leaders, writers, and park volunteers, presented on topics from Whale Acoustics and Tracking, to Research on Fluorescence from Intertidal Sea Anemones, to Gray Whales in Baja California.

3,100+ Attendees

Explored Cabrillo National Monument, attended educational presentations, participated in ranger-led land-based whale watching, visited exhibitor booths, and celebrated San Diego’s ocean, waterways, ecosystems, and community.

12 Exhibitors

shared creative and practical ways to protect the environment, offering hands-on activities, volunteer opportunities, and educational displays that encouraged visitors to get involved in caring for our coast and community.

In 2025, Cabrillo National Monument stood as a place of discovery, reflection, and community— and it was all made possible by you.

From the thousands of students who experienced their first field trip to a national park, to the rare Torrey Pines that continue to stand tall after careful restoration, to the 8,000 Jr. Ranger booklets placed in the hands of eager leaners; every moment of learning, preservation, and discovery this year began with your generosity.

Our accomplishments in 2025 reflect the dedication of so many people who care deeply for our park. Our Board of Directors provides steady leadership and vision, guiding CNMF with care and purpose. Our staff works every day to raise awareness and support for Cabrillo National Monument — connecting people to its history, science, and natural beauty. And Cabrillo’s volunteers and community give back in immeasurable ways — restoring trails, sharing stories, inspiring curiosity, and ensuring that San Diego’s national park continues to thrive for everyone who visits today and for generations to come.

The impact we saw this year, and the future we are building, are the result of your commitment to caring for our national park. Together, we are ensuring that Cabrillo’s history, cultural resources, ecosystems, and educational opportunities continue to inspire all who visit.

Thank you for standing with us and for believing in the power of our national parks. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Emily Moore,

Executive Director