Volunteer

Program Overview

Welcome to Cabrillo National Monument’s Volunteers In Parks (VIP) Program—a diverse coalition of park stewards from all backgrounds who serve this park with their unique skills, dedicated time, and unparalleled passion. From swearing in Junior Rangers at the Visitor Center, monitoring native species of reptiles and amphibians, presenting programs in 16th century replica clothing, to removing invasive plant species, these volunteers all play a vital role in “preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

In 2019, Cabrillo National Monument VIPs donated over 17,000 hours of service—equivalent to 8 full-time uniformed Park Rangers—across more than twenty different volunteer projects and roles. On June 25th, 2014, our VIP program received the prestigious George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2013. Each year, the National Park Service recognizes exceptional efforts in volunteer management and service, and our park was selected out of 401 national parks across the country.

Individual Volunteering

Cabrillo National Monument protects an abundance of natural and cultural resources, and the volunteer roles that accompany the protection and preservation of these resources are just as diverse. There are plenty of ways to get involved!

For one-time volunteering or service day opportunities, email us at cabr_volunteers@nps.gov. Explore some of the park’s most popular, recurring volunteer roles to learn more and find out how you can get involved:

Weed Warriors (Habitat Restoration): Help protect the park's natural ecosystem by removing non-native plants.
Visitor Center: Greet visitors, provide information, and assist with Junior Ranger programs.
Tidepool Protection, Education, and Restoration Program (TPERP): Educate visitors on the tidepools and protect intertidal wildlife.
Park Rovers: Bring our park's nature and history to life throughout the hiking trails.
Science Explorer's Club (SEC): Guide visitors through scientific activities, monitoring projects, and conservation at the park.

Join us in making a difference at Cabrillo National Monument and become part of a dedicated team committed to preserving our national treasures for future generations.

Group Volunteering

Whether you’re a scout troop, coworkers, school club, or a group of friends with a love for nature…Your group can volunteer together. This can be a one-time or reoccurring event too. Join the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs)!

Cabrillo National Monument has group volunteer projects open year-round. Group sizes must be between 3 to 25 people. All volunteers must be age 8 and up. Projects vary on the time of year, age of participants, special skills, and group size. Past projects have included:

Habitat restoration in the Coastal, Bayside, and Whale Watch Overlook trails!
Park beautification in the Lighthouse, Visitor Center, and upper viewpoints!
Greenhouse transplanting and seed collecting projects!
And more!

Learn more on our Group volunteering page.

For photos of our volunteers in action, check out the "Volunteer at Cabrillo" Photo Gallery!

VIP-Voice!

See what our Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) are up to! VIP-Voice is a blog site run by volunteers for volunteers to keep connected to the Cabrillo National Monument VIP community. It is not a federal website. This link does not imply endorsement of any opinions shared on the website. Explore stories, updates, and experiences shared by our dedicated volunteers and stay connected with the vibrant community at Cabrillo National Monument.

Contact Us/Get Started

Cabrillo National Monument is currently accepting volunteer applications. To inquire about volunteering, please email cabr_volunteers@nps.gov for more information and to apply for current and upcoming opportunities.

If you have any questions after reading through the volunteer webpages, please contact the Cabrillo National Monument Volunteer Office at (619) 523-4288 or email the volunteer office at cabr_volunteers@nps.gov. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and working together to preserve and enhance Cabrillo National Monument.