Southern California Mountains Foundation

Southern California Mountains Foundation Connecting community with public lands for over 30 years. Volunteer. Educate. Inspire.

The Children’s Forest in Running Springs has been buzzing with visitors, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the ...
06/15/2026

The Children’s Forest in Running Springs has been buzzing with visitors, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the community back into this special place.

This past weekend’s scavenger hunt had families exploring the forest, discovering wildlife, learning about local ecosystems, and connecting with nature in a hands-on way. From curious kids to lifelong outdoor enthusiasts, there’s something here for everyone.

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Children’s Forest offers activities for all ages, opportunities to learn about the plants and animals that call these mountains home, and a chance to experience one of the most meaningful landscapes in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Come explore, learn, and see what makes the Children’s Forest such a special place. We can’t wait to see you here.

After much anticipation, Butler Peak Fire Lookout is finally reopening on June 15!This year is especially meaningful as ...
06/14/2026

After much anticipation, Butler Peak Fire Lookout is finally reopening on June 15!

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate Butler Peak’s 90th anniversary, a remarkable milestone for one of the most iconic fire lookout towers in the San Bernardino Mountains.

To celebrate, we’re giving away a limited-edition Butler Peak commemorative sweater featuring the lookout’s coordinates.

We want to hear your stories! Have you visited Butler Peak over the years? Did a trip to the tower inspire a love for the mountains, fire lookouts, or public lands? Share your favorite Butler Peak or other fire lookout memory by commenting below, sending us a direct message, or emailing your story to [email protected]. Big shoutout to the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service - San Bernardino National Forest for their continued support!

Join us in celebrating 90 years of history, stewardship, and unforgettable views from Butler Peak Fire Lookout.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 from John Muir Charter School John Muir Charter Schools We are incredibly proud of ...
06/13/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 from John Muir Charter School John Muir Charter Schools

We are incredibly proud of each graduate and the hard work, perseverance, and dedication it took to reach this milestone. Your accomplishments are a reminder that there is no single path to success, only the courage to keep moving forward.

Through a partnership with John Muir Charter School, the Southern California Mountains Foundation is proud to provide students with opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom. From hands-on job experience and career development to environmental education, conservation projects, and workforce training, students gain valuable skills while continuing their education in meaningful ways.

Today we celebrate not only your graduation, but the bright futures ahead. Congratulations, graduates, we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.

Our first weekend at the Children’s Forest was a wonderful success! We loved welcoming families and community members wh...
06/09/2026

Our first weekend at the Children’s Forest was a wonderful success! We loved welcoming families and community members who came out to explore, create nature crafts, and spend time outdoors together.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share this special place and help connect people with the natural world. Join us every Saturday and Sunday in Running Springs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn about local wildlife, enjoy hands-on activities, and participate in fun community events surrounded by the beauty of the San Bernardino Mountains.

National Trails Day at Pine Knot Trail in Big Bear Lake was a success!A huge thank you to the 25 volunteers who rolled u...
06/07/2026

National Trails Day at Pine Knot Trail in Big Bear Lake was a success!

A huge thank you to the 25 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and helped maintain 3.5 miles of Forest Service trail while removing 28 pounds of litter from the forest. Together, crews completed brushing, slashing, and general trail cleanup to help keep this beloved trail safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone. After a successful day the crew headed off with Care For Big Bear for some Ales & Trails 👏 a nice treat after all of the hard work.

Trails don’t maintain themselves, and every volunteer hour makes a difference. Whether you hike, bike, ride horses, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, volunteering is a great way to give back, meet like-minded people, and help protect the places we all love.

We have more trail volunteer opportunities coming up throughout the season. Follow along and join us on the next project to help keep Big Bear’s trails open and thriving for future generations. Check out the links in our bio for Eventbrite sign ups - see you there!!

Next event June 11th at the Maple Hills Complex in Sugarloaf, sign up here 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981210737649?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Children’s Forest is officially open!Join in on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Running Springs on Ke...
06/07/2026

The Children’s Forest is officially open!

Join in on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Running Springs on Keller Peak Road for guided walks, nature crafts, wildlife education, and hands-on activities designed to connect people of all ages with the outdoors.

Nestled within 3,400 acres of forest, the Children’s Forest was created in the wake of the 1970 Bear Fire as a living symbol of renewal and hope. Thousands of trees were planted, each bearing the name of a child, transforming the landscape into one of the most meaningful and scenic places in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Today, the Children’s Forest continues to inspire the next generation through environmental education, conservation, and opportunities to actively care for the mountains we all love. Come explore, learn, and discover this special place for yourself.

https://mountainsfoundation.org/programs/childrens-forest/

For the third consecutive year, the Southern California Mountains Foundation (SCMF) has partnered with the Inyo National...
06/05/2026

For the third consecutive year, the Southern California Mountains Foundation (SCMF) has partnered with the Inyo National Forest and the Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) to help bring Bald Mountain Lookout back into service.

As part of this effort, SCMF Fire Lookout Manager Shane Harris has been travelling to the Inyo National Forest to assist with training local fire lookout volunteers. The goal is to develop a local volunteer workforce capable of fully staffing and operating Bald Mountain Lookout in the years ahead.
This year’s training was divided into two classroom sessions.

The first day was held at U.S. Forest Service Fire Station 2 in Mammoth Lakes, California, and the second day at the Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden, Nevada. A total of 31 new volunteers attended the training.

With continued progress, Bald Mountain Lookout is expected to become fully staffed and operated by local volunteers within the next two years.

The Southern California Mountains Foundation and the San Bernardino National Forest are proud to support the Inyo National Forest and FFLA with the growth of the Bald Mountain Lookout volunteer program and the next generation of Fire Lookout Volunteers.

Join us on June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Aspen Glen Picnic Area as we work together to maintain and clean up the...
06/04/2026

Join us on June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Aspen Glen Picnic Area as we work together to maintain and clean up the beloved Pine Knot Trail.

This family-friendly volunteer event is open to all ages and experience levels. Whether you hike, bike, ride horses, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, this is a great opportunity to give back to the trails that connect our community to nature.

👉 Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981245057300?aff=oddtdtcreator

We’ll provide all the necessary tools, safety equipment, and lunch, just bring your enthusiasm, comfortable clothing, and a willingness to make a difference.

By volunteering, you’ll help keep Pine Knot Trail safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone who loves exploring Big Bear’s outdoors.

Come meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, spend the day in the forest, and help protect the trails that make Big Bear special.

See you on the trail! AmericanHikingSociety

We are happy to announce our Corpsmembers of the month for May, first we have James Moore Jr, from the San Bernardino si...
06/03/2026

We are happy to announce our Corpsmembers of the month for May, first we have James Moore Jr, from the San Bernardino site. Here’s a little bit more about James.
“I am 19 years old and live in San Bernardino. I’ve working with the UCC for 3-1/2 months. I enjoy working with the UCC because I get paid as I learn and get certificates for my trainings. I think others should join the UCC, the program offers opportunities to develop new skills, earn certifications, and gain experience that can lead to long-term employment and career success. It is good working with other corpmembers they are kind and can learn alot from them.”

Genaro Acosta is SCMF’s Corpsmember of the month from Coachella. Here’s a little bit more about Genaro. “I am 19 years old and live in Coachella. I’ve been with UCC for three months. I enjoy working with UCC for the fun environment, good experiences and opportunities. Others should join because it’s fun, a professional environment with great opportunities. Working with other Corpsmembers is fun, they are respectful and I can trust them. The advice I would give new Corpsmembers and those thinking of joining is to join, be yourself and be the good example you want to be. I would like to add that I have enjoyed my time here and cannot wait to experience the rest of my time at the UCC.”

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is so proud of each crew and Corpsmember for all of the hard work they put towards keeping community linked with conservation! Great job UCC!!

Nobody has fun quite like our OHV volunteers.Recently, our Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program kicked off summer with a vo...
06/02/2026

Nobody has fun quite like our OHV volunteers.

Recently, our Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program kicked off summer with a volunteer barbecue, bringing together an incredible group of people who share a passion for public lands, responsible recreation, and stewardship of the San Bernardino National Forest. Between great food and even better company, volunteers swapped stories about their favorite trails, upcoming projects, and the places they love most.

But this crew does much more than enjoy the outdoors. Throughout the year, OHV volunteers help protect sensitive wildlife habitat, maintain and restore trail systems, remove illegal dispersed fire rings, clean up litter, educate visitors, and support responsible recreation across the forest.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts, and spend more time on the trails, we’d love to have you join us!!

👉Interested in becoming an OHV volunteer? Email [email protected] and we’ll see you out there.

Address

1355 W. 26th Street
San Bernardino, CA
92405

Telephone

+19098900400

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