Bearpaw Sanctuary, San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society

02/20/2026

The San Bernardino Valley has long been an ally with the various Big Bear conservation groups in trying to protect the natural assets that make Big Bear Lake and its surrounding forests and meadows a jewel in our area. Please, get involved to protect the superstar eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, and the healthy ecosystem they depend on.

Moon Camp Update:

Dear Eagle Family,

Sandy Steers fought against a luxury housing and marina development called Moon Camp for nearly 25 years. This project is why Friends of Big Bear Valley originally came to be and stopping it was Sandy’s top priority as executive director. This undisturbed land is on the North Shore and is less than 1 mile from Jackie and Shadow’s nest. It is where they perch and forage for food. It is also home to a rare and endangered plant species. The destruction of this shoreline will make it more difficult for Jackie and Shadow to raise chicks and the disturbance may cause them to leave their nesting area altogether.

Sandy helped put together a limited purchase agreement between the developer that owns the property and the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust (SBMLT) before she passed away. SBMLT has an opportunity to buy Moon Camp for permanent conservatorship. The challenge ahead is considerable. SBMLT has to raise $10 million in less than 6 months.

FOBBV has partnered with SBMLT to lead the fundraising effort to Save Moon Camp – on behalf of Jackie and Shadow and the other endangered species that rely on the ecosystem. We need your help! Our team has created a special website called SaveMoonCamp.org where anyone can donate towards the purchase. This is the biggest fundraiser we have ever undertaken and it is the most important one of all. It was Sandy’s vision and mission.

Please feel free to get creative, involve your friends, organize into groups and encourage businesses to help. There are special designations and recognition for large donations.

The clock is ticking, we only have until July 31, 2026. We ask that you donate and let everyone know about SaveMoonCamp.org. DO NOT DONATE FOR THIS ON FOBBV’S WEBSITE PLEASE OR ANYWHERE ELSE. This is the only official site.

Jackie and Shadow need everyone to be their heroes. FOBBV and SBMLT are deeply grateful for your support. Lets get this done for Sandy!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Jenny & the FOBBV Team

https://savemooncamp.org

02/13/2026

Everyone’s invited to include Bearpaw as part of your Backyard Bird Count! If you want to meetup with the resident volunteer, Ruth Greyraven, message with day and time and we’ll try to work it out. Watch the weather forecasts — a storm is due Sunday night, maybe with snow.

09/26/2025

If you had plans for mountain birding (and this is a beautiful time of year), watch the weather forecasts and plan accodingly.

A Flood Watch is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday for parts of San Bernardino County, including Wrightwood, Running Springs, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Crestline. 🚨

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to produce moderate to heavy rain in the mountains during the mid-morning to evening hours on Saturday. Thunderstorms that develop have the potential to produce rain rates of 0.50 to 1 inch per hour, locally higher. Heavy rain has the potential to impact burn areas in the San Bernardino Mountains including, the Line, Bridge, and Apple/El Dorado burn scars. ⚠️ 🌧️

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Be alert in the mountains for mud, rocks, and debris in the road. ⚠️

Visit prepare.sbcounty.gov for more flood safety tips.🔗

08/31/2025

This is 250 ft up. Trees that have been burned may or may not survive, but it is worth trying when a tree is beloved. Sadly the big Coulter Pines at Bearpaw were mostly killed by the 2020 El Dorado Fire. Young trees are rising from the ash. Circle of life continues, as long as we conserve open space and don’t pave it over.

11/20/2024

Tonight! Wednesday Nov 20 2024, 7 pm, at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. Learn about nearby birding hotspot, the San Jacinto Wildlife area, with awesome photos by some of the best wildlife photographers in our area. Sponsored by the San Bernardino Audubon Society, free parking, free event! The speaker is esteemed birder and retired CSUSB biology professor Tony Metcalf.

11/01/2024

Check out these events on the other side of our ridge!

09/26/2024

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