Welcome to Cabrillo National Monument’s Reference Manual, often times referred to as “the e-binder”.

So what is it and why should you care?

• It is a reference guide to all parts of the park that you can use on your own time.
• It is a compendium of useful facts and pictures to help you answer visitors’ questions.
• It is a single source where you can find high-level and accurate information you should know to be the best interpreter you can be.
• It is a place where you can quickly go to find an answer, or spend hours learning about a specific topic.
• It provides highlights of all park attributes, themes, services, and opportunities.
• It is a work in progress, as each year it is improved based on your evaluations and inputs, rigorous committee review, and new information about the park.

It is not a training manual, but rather a companion document to formal, informal, and on-the-job training.

 

Where did the contents come from?

Multiple sources! The articles are from many respected people and websites, including: The National Park Service, Cabrillo National Monument, CNM Journal, continuing education lectures, TPERP conferences, staff members, VIPs, and community sources such as NOAA, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Maritime Museum.

Please note: While we do our best to verify web links to other websites, some links may become outdated or non-operational over time. If you find any problems, please contact one of the members of the e-binder team.

How to access it

https://CNMVIPVoice.org/reference/

 

The e-binder is accessible in two ways: online, or you can download the PDF to your computer or mobile device. The online version is available from the VIP Voice website under the reference section. Simply click on the area that you are interested in, or use the search feature to find the information of interest.

The downloadable version of the e-binder is also accessible from the VIP Voice under the Reference section. There are two available versions: a high-resolution and a low resolution. Choose the appropriate version for your computer or mobile device.

 

How to use it

Simply scroll through the Table of Contents at the beginning of the document and click on a subject. Depending on your reading device, such as iPad, Apple Computer, etc., you can also access the table of contents from a side window.

If you have any problems using the e-binder, please contact one of the members of the e-binder team.

 

What are others saying about it?

“I just had a look today, and man! What a wonderful, exhaustive resource it is! It’s wonderful that the park has this! Bryce Canyon never had anything like this, to my knowledge…..This makes me even more excited to learn about the park!…..Thanks to all those that put the effort into this!”
Kasaundra Packer

“I really love the e-binder.  It is a wealth of information in one place, easy to use, and you can spend as little or as much time as you want with it.  I am continually going back to it to refresh my memory, or look for answers to new questions….I can’t imagine not having it as my main resource. ….The longer I’m at Cabrillo, the more I go back to deepen and expand my knowledge….I truly appreciate the efforts taken to make it happen.
Charlie Lawrence

“Thank you very very much for your efforts on behalf of our beloved park and its volunteers. Especially on the e-binder and in your presentations during the seminars! I really appreciate it. The e-binder is easy to move around in and has lots of good information”
Don Vaughn

Love it and find it very useful…..Like the comprehensive info and easy to use organization with “bookmarks.” Especially helpful are the parts used directly in TPERP work (from natural history to checklist and radio protocol).
Mark Stephens

First, I must say WOW and CONGRATULATIONS and EXPERTLY DONE …!  I am very impressed with the (e-) binder and with the work that has obviously gone into it.
Andrea K. N. Compton, Chief, Natural Resource Science, July 24, 2007

It occurs to me that the ebinder is becoming such a useful collection of information that pieces of it may be used for other purposes.  Other VIPs and interns, new employees that need to learn more about Cabrillo, perhaps?
Dr. Benjamin Pister, Ph.D., Marine Biologist, March 13, 2009

What wonderful effort!
Dr. Benjamin Pister, Ph.D., Chief of Natural & Cultural Resources Management and Science, April 4, 2012

You are doing great things!!!!
Kaye London, Biological Technician, May 14, 2012

Thanks for your effort here. I think this is a real valuable asset to the park. It’ll remain a priority for our division to continue to develop…this document.
Dr. Keith Lombardo Ph.D., Biologist, August 7, 2012

Creating a Cabrillo National Monument Reference manual is no small effort and consistently Beth and her team of scribes put out a new revision every year, now that is impressive. I look forward to see what new information has been added each year. My hat goes off to you and your team.
Randal Rand, Chairman CNMC, January 2016

“This is an AMAZING resource!  Truly, it is like an encyclopedia for the park.  If you want to know more than the basics, you can dig deeper with this reference manual and explore your interests in greater detail.  It really captures the institutional knowledge of various fields from both current and past park experts.  Take advantage of all of this information, gathered for ease of use, in one place.  One of the best parts of this job is learning something new every single day and this reference manual is a great way to do it!”
Bonnie Phillips, USPR – TPERP Coordinator, January 17, 2016

“The e-binder is a wonderful reference tool for those of us who work at the tidepool education table. Visitors often ask in-depth questions or seek additional information about a critter or plant they have seen. Inevitably we are asked questions for which we don’t have easy or complete answers, and we are able to refer to the e-binder for the information we need. The e-binder is like having an entire park library within easy reach. For me personally, knowing that I can refer to the manual gives me confidence in speaking about the park. Instead of relying on my not-always-perfect memory, I know I can always ‘look it up’!”
Becky Wieder, VIP, January 17, 2016

What a wonderful resource for all VIPs–new or continuing–the ebinder has been.  The new guide (VOG) will be of great value for quick reference.  Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of either or both publications!
Gail Geddis, Volunteer Navigation Committee (VNC) Chair, January 17, 2016

As a newcomer to the Park, the e-binder is an essential “go to” tool that contains detailed information of ALL THINGS CABRILLO. Cabrillo’s greatest asset is the volunteers, thank you for your dedication and diligence in producing such a valuable timeless piece.
Gerrie Trussell, Executive Director CNMF, January 18, 2016

“This is certainly an asset to the park and an invaluable resource to current and future generations; it represents the true spirit and dedication of VIPs”
Tavio Del Rio, January 24, 2016

Last revised 17-Feb-19