Latino Conservation Week at Cabrillo National Monument

A person’s cultural background and identity shapes the lens with which they view the world. This is particularly apparent at Cabrillo National Monument, as the history of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo illustrates the complexities of identity through history. Originally thought to be Portuguese, recent historical research has revealed that he said he was from Spain.But why does identity matter? Cabrillo was a man with historical importance to the exploration of San Diego, but why is it significant where he comes from? Why is it significant where we come from? As individuals, we develop many of our values and perspectives through the lens of our cultural upbringing and how we identify ourselves. The stories and voices exalted in the conservation movement have not reflected the diverse cultures and identities that all have unique relationships with the lands from which they originate.

In celebration of Latino Conservation Week, Cabrillo National Monument lifts up the voices of interns and staff, to share their unique experiences with conservation and their cultural background.

Meet National Park Ranger (Protection) Briana Carmona, Resource Protection and Public Engagement Intern Tatiana Butte, Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources Intern Alisa Hernandez, and Communications Intern Laura Charria.

NPS Photo/B. Carmona

Your Name:

Briana Carmona

How do you find joy in the outdoors?

I enjoy hiking, camping, and kayaking.

What is your job title and role at your park site?

National Park Ranger (Protection)I assist in providing a safe environment for visitors while helping maintain the natural habitat for the critters that live at Cabrillo National Monument.

How did you get involved with this role?

I wanted to combine my love for exploring parks with my career in law enforcement.

What inspired you to work for the National Park Service?

I have always enjoyed being outdoors and loved my job as a police officer. Working for the National Park Service allows me to do both.

What is the most rewarding part of the work you are doing?

Seeing little kids tug on their adults while yelling or whispering, “Look it’s a Park Ranger, it’s a Park Ranger.” Their excitement always puts a smile on my face and makes it easy to approach them and talk with them about our park.

Tell us something unique and special about your site.

Not only does Cabrillo National Monument offer a trail with a spectacular view of San Diego Bay, but it also offers a unique trail with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

How has your cultural background influenced your passion for conservation?

My mother and grandparents worked hard to expose my sister and I to the outdoors and our Mexican heritage. This included camping with extended family, exploring Missions along the California coastline, and taking month long trips through Mexico. Our trips instilled in me a need to support the preservation of these locations so that future generations can enjoy them too.

What advice do you have for youth who are interested in getting involved in stewardship and into the conservation field?

If you love being outside, there’s a park for you.

NPS Photo/ C. Aurrecoechea

Your Name:

Tatiana Butte

How do you find joy in the outdoors?

Being in the outdoors I live in a here and now moment where I am encapsulated by nature's beauty. In the here and the moment I am able to just focus on nature and the activities I am doing at the moment and nothing else. We get caught up in the day-to-day life we forget to just focus on ourselves and nature. I enjoy the outdoors because it is my time to be free.

What is your job title and duties this summer?

Resource Protection & Public Engagement InternshipEducate visitors on the Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem (or tidepools), contact park visitors to inform them of park rules ,answer visitor’s questions, also conducting an educational project with the Interpretation & Education team about the tidepools.

How did you get involved with your internship program?

A local San Diego nonprofit called Outdoor Outreach introduced me to the Cabrillo National Monument summer internship. As an environmental equity advocate, I wanted to promote diversity and to learn more about our national parks system before heading off to the University of California Berkeley.

What inspired you to do an internship at the National Park Service?

As an environmental equity Advocate, I wanted to learn more about our environment and some of the parts of it is learning about the national park system and how to preserve the beauty and Excellence of nature. While converse the prominence of the cultural heritage of the lands they occupy now.

What is the most rewarding part of the work you are doing?

At Cabrillo National Monument one of the most rewarding parts of the job is getting to know visitors from all parts of the world. Hearing their experiences of nature and how they are enjoying being in a national park that celebrates the land, tidepools, and cultural aspects of the park. Plus seeing the sunset every day is not so bad.Tell us something unique and special about your site.At Cabrillo National Monument we have our famous tidepools which have so much Bio-diversity and different organisms that come from our tidepools. Plus we are on the peninsula of San Diego which we are able to view the entire San Diego region from our location site which is a beautiful sight to see.

How has your cultural background influenced your passion for conservation?

Being Afro-Latina, I am able to promote diversity within the National Park System. A majority of diverse youth are not exposed to the benefits of the environment due to numerous reasons. I and others are breaking the barriers that people of color have been segregated against for many years. We are role models in our communities and exposing the benefits of what the outdoors can bring and showing our communities that this is a space for them as well.

What advice do you have for youth who are interested in getting involved in stewardship and into the conservation field?

I would tell youth to get out of their comfort zone and experience something new and learn about the environment around them. Advocate for something you're passionate about and take risks in terms of using your own voice to speak up for matters that you care for the most.

NPS Photo/ A. Hernandez

Your Name:

Alisa Hernandez

How do you find joy in the outdoors?

I find joy in the outdoors when I get to share the beauty of it with others. I greatly enjoy birdwatching and taking my family along with me to teach them about the different plants and animals in our local habitats.

What is your job title and duties this summer?

This summer, I am working as the wildlife biology and natural resources intern at Cabrillo National Monument as part of the Latino Heritage Internship Program. I am working on a project to understand the relationship between the herpetofauna community within the park and weather factors such as humidity and air temperature. I am doing this work to better understand how these species will be affected by climate change conditions. My work involves data analysis and visualization to accomplish those goals.

How did you get involved with your internship program?

My faculty mentor at my university had alerted me to this position's availability for the summer. What really piqued my interest in the program was its dedication to diversity in STEM fields and conservation and commitment to my continued success in the field.What inspired you to do an internship at the National Park Service?I have long been passionate about protecting and researching the natural resources and environments protected within national parks. I believe in the goals and principles that the National Park Service works toward in the parks, and I was eager to get involved. It has been a phenomenal experience to get real, hands-on experience working to do just that.

What is the most rewarding part of the work you are doing?

Sharing my work and research findings with others and informing them about the organisms and phenomena within the park is incredibly rewarding. I think it is exceptional to communicate with such a broad audience for education about the resources around us. It is gratifying to answer questions from someone who has become excited about what I've shared.

Tell us something unique and special about your site.

Cabrillo National Monument is one of the most picturesque places that I have ever been and had the privilege of working in. The beautiful ocean view and variety of habitats to explore and protect my working environment have been unforgettable.

How has your cultural background influenced your passion for conservation?

Culturally, I had minimal experience with conservation and appreciation for the natural environment. After learning more about protecting and preserving wild spaces, I have shared my passion with my cultural family. Growing up, my family did not introduce us to the necessity of conservation despite my family's close ties to the agricultural industry. Now, I have helped encourage my family to regularly embarks on trips to our national parks to immerse and connect ourselves in the natural environment.

What advice do you have for youth who are interested in getting involved in stewardship and into the conservation field?

My advice to any youth interested in getting involved is to take any opportunity to learn more about natural environments both locally and remotely. I think that the enthusiasm to learn can take one far. I also firmly believe in the willingness to try for different opportunities even if outside of one's comfort zone. Take the chance to learn and experience more so that you can use that knowledge and those skills to better the environment around you!

NPS Photo/Courtesy L Charria

Your Name:

Laura Charria

How do you find joy in the outdoors?

In nature I see peace, tranquility, and beauty. Nature is a gift that I am grateful to experience. Being outdoors, breathing fresh air, and walking on nature trails is an extraordinary gift. The best feeling is finding joy in the little things, like the aromatic smell of trees and the musical sound of birds in the background.

What is your job title and duties this summer?

I am very excited to be a Communications Intern at Cabrillo National Monument this summer, where I get the opportunity to translate and record Spanish language audio tours for our park's Spanish speaking visitors. + I am grateful to be gaining knowledge of park resources and to be learning new research and public engagement skills through the execution of the internship capstone project. + I am happy to have the opportunity to be surrounded with teammates that are motivated about the park's conservation and stewardship. + I have gotten to see how each department fulfills the mission of the NPS through the preservation and protection of San Diego’s cultural and natural resources. + Walking around learning about the history of the park is one of the best perks of interning at a National Park.

How did you get involved with your internship program?

Being new to San Diego I was curious about the hidden gems that San Diego had to offer. One of my mentors at UC San Diego's 'The Basement', an entrepreneurship-based program, mentioned an internship at Cabrillo National Monument (where she volunteers) and told me about the opportunity.

What inspired you to do an internship at the National Park Service?

The National Park Service has always stood out to me because of its immense responsibility to both educate and inspire its visitors. For me, it's always been about learning new concepts, surrounding myself with nature, asking questions, and listening to stories about the past. I have always been curious about how past explorers had the courage and imagination to sail off to unknown lands, and have always admired their joy and passion for discovery.

What is the most rewarding part of the work you are doing?

Every day when I arrive at the park, I see visitors who come in excited to learn and spend a day surrounded by nature. Their joy is contagious and they motivate me to want to work better every day. The most rewarding part of the work I do is definitely knowing that I am being an advocate for other Spanish speaking communities that want to explore the park. I love knowing that the work I do provides accessibility so that people from all around the world can get to learn about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and the history of the park.

Tell us something unique and special about your site.

Did you know that Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was thought to be Portuguese, up until a few years ago, when new evidence suggested he was actually from Spain? Besides the fun facts, the site also includes an amazing view of San Diego, tide pools where you can go whale-watching, Old Point Loma lighthouse with artifacts, and a trail where you can walk and admire the breathtaking view. You wouldn't want to miss it!

How has your cultural background influenced your passion for conservation?

Growing up in a Latin community, my family constantly reminded me of two things: that I had to make sure I spoke perfect Spanish and that I had to remember my roots and where I came from. Like a tree, I have stayed grounded in my beliefs and values. One of my key values is conservation. I grew up in Colombia and Puerto Rico, both home to natural reserves like The Amazon Rainforest and El Yunque National Forest. Filled with biodiversity, both reserves have taught me that taking care of the planet is our responsibility. For me, it means raising awareness and communicating the importance of beauty of our planet. I wanted to raise a call to action in both English and Spanish speakers to connect with two cultures and reach a broader audience. If everyone takes one small step towards conservation, we can take care of our home we call Earth.

What advice do you have for youth who are interested in getting involved in stewardship and into the conservation field?

If I could just give one piece of advice it would be to always stand up for what you believe in. Take action and be an advocate, because your voice matters. It's never too early to start, the best time is right now. Be curious, ask questions, and if you want to learn more about how you can get involved in stewardship, make sure to check out this link: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/conservation.htm