Southern California Mountains Foundation

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Southern California Mountains Foundation

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Connecting community with public lands for over 30 years. Volunteer. Educate. Inspire.

11/02/2026

For this month’s Youth Access Program (Y.A.P.), Corpsmembers enjoyed a day of exploration at SkyPark at Santa's Village and Heaps Peak, made possible through funding from the California Natural Resources grant.

From rock climbing and axe throwing to sky biking, roller skating, and archery, the day offered opportunities to try something new, build confidence, and strengthen connections.

One particularly meaningful moment was learning archery from Armand, whose father was part of the original Civic Corps. Through shared stories and hands-on instruction, corps members connected with the program’s history while creating memories of their own.

A wonderful day of outdoor recreation, education, and community building, with a few Halloween treats along the way!

This program is made possible through funding provided by the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use ofMarijuana Act (Proposition 64) for the Youth Community Access Grant Program.

10/30/2026

Recently, Southern California Mountains Foundation’s OHV Manager, Mike, attended the Toyo Tires event to connect with the off-highway vehicle community and share the importance of responsible recreation on our public lands.

Events like these are a great opportunity to engage with outdoor enthusiasts, promote safe and sustainable OHV practices, and inspire the next generation of responsible riders. From staying on designated trails to protecting sensitive habitats, every effort helps preserve the landscapes we all enjoy exploring.

A big thank you to 𝙏𝙊𝙔𝙊 𝙏𝙄𝙍𝙀𝙎 for bringing the community together and creating opportunities to celebrate outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship!

OffRoadCommun

10/29/2026

The Urban Conservation Corps of the Coachella Valley recently joined community partners to celebrate the closing of the 25th anniversary year of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument!

In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Friends of the Desert Mountains, and UC Riverside’s Center for Conservation Biology, the celebration brought together volunteers, visitors, and community leaders to recognize 25 years of conservation and stewardship.

Former elected officials, including Mary Bono Mack, shared the history and significance of this remarkable landscape, highlighting its unique designation as one of the few national monuments established by Congress through a unanimous vote.

And, of course, no celebration of our natural landscapes would be complete without a little wildlife! A resident gopher snake even made a special appearance.

Here’s to 25 years of protecting the natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural heritage of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and to the generations who will continue this important work.

Thank you Smokey Bear USDA Forest Service Friends Of The Desert Center for Conservation Biology Mary Bono Bureau of Land Management and others!!!

10/28/2026

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Southern California Mountains Foundation, and this year’s Volunteer Celebration was a beautiful reminder of the incredible impact they make across Southern California’s public lands and communities.
This year alone, 436 dedicated volunteers have made an extraordinary difference:

• 121,167 public contacts served, educated, and engaged
• 29,398 volunteer hours dedicated to conservation, education, and community service
• $1,062,444 in equivalent service value contributed through volunteer efforts

From Fire Lookouts and Forest Restoration to OHV programs, Big Bear Discovery Center, Big Bear Trails, Children’s Forest, and the beloved Music in the Mountains summer concert series, these volunteers are the driving force behind so much of what makes these programs possible.

The impact of their dedication reaches far beyond the trails, forests, and public lands they help protect. It extends into the communities they serve, the people they inspire, and the next generation of environmental stewards.

To every volunteer who has given their time, energy, and heart: THANK YOU. San Bernardino National Forest and communities are better because of you.

If you’d like to become a volunteer please head to www.mountainsfoundation.org or email [email protected]

10/26/2026

Every journey has a story, and through the Southern California Mountains Foundation’s Urban Conservation Corps (UCC), there are countless stories of growth, perseverance, and triumph.

Meet Sydney, after spending several years with the UCC, gaining hands-on workforce experience, continuing her education, and building a foundation for her future, she’s now taking the next exciting step toward becoming a nurse.

Sydney is just one of many inspiring success stories that demonstrate how the UCC can be a stepping stone toward a meaningful, purpose-driven career.

The Urban Conservation Corps provides young adults ages 18–26 with opportunities to earn while they learn, gain valuable job skills, further their education, and make a positive impact through conservation and community service.

Whether your future is in conservation, healthcare, or an entirely different field, the UCC can help you build the skills and confidence to get there.

Congratulations, Sydney! The next chapter is yours, and we couldn’t be prouder!

Interested in starting your own journey? Learn more about joining the Urban Conservation Corps at mountainsfoundation.org.

10/25/2026

Recently SCMF’s UCC California Naturalist class explored the university’s Natural History Museum, getting an up-close look at fascinating animal exhibits and learning about native and non-native wildlife from around the world.

Corpsmembers had the opportunity to ask questions, expand their knowledge of biodiversity, and discover more about the incredible species that share the planet.

Experiences like these help inspire the next generation of naturalists and conservation professionals through hands-on learning and exploration!

10/22/2026

There’s always something fun happening at the Big Bear Discovery Center! The Urban Conservation Corps (UCC) educators are bringing creativity and nature together through fun, hands-on activities for visitors of all ages! From fall-inspired nature journaling to learning about the life cycle of pumpkins and nighttime pollinators, there’s always something new to explore.

Beyond these activities, the Discovery Center offers a variety of engaging programs and experiences throughout the seasons, encouraging visitors to get creative, connect with nature, and learn something new.

https://mountainsfoundation.org/events/

These programs also provide our UCC corps members with valuable hands-on experience in environmental education, communication, and community engagement, helping prepare them for future careers they’re passionate about.

Be sure to check out the Big Bear Discovery Center events calendar to see when our UCC educators will be hosting their next activities. We’d love to see you there!

10/21/2026

💚 A Partnership That Makes a Difference! 🌲
A huge THANK YOU to Yamaha Outdoors Yamaha and the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative for their continued generosity and longtime partnership with the Southern California Mountains Foundation!

Year after year, Yamaha’s support helps us protect and maintain the San Bernardino National Forest while promoting safe, responsible off-highway vehicle recreation.
Thanks to their support, our OHV Program staff and dedicated volunteers accomplished some incredible things this past year:

🛻 Conducted 240+ OHV education patrols and operated 33 educational kiosks to promote responsible recreation.
🌲 Maintained 15 miles of OHV trails, keeping routes safe, accessible, and sustainable.
🗺️ Printed and distributed 30,000 updated OHV Guide Maps to help visitors stay on designated trails.
🔨 Completed much-needed repairs to the North Shore OHV Volunteer Work Center and purchased essential trail maintenance and safety equipment.
🙌 Supported and recognized the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to caring for our public lands.

Yamaha’s commitment goes far beyond funding projects. Their longstanding investment in outdoor access, education, and stewardship helps ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and explore our National Forests responsibly.
We are incredibly grateful for Yamaha’s continued trust in our mission and for being such an important part of what we do.

Thank you, Yamaha, for helping us keep riders “On the Right Trail” and our public lands protected for years to come! 💚

OutdoorAccess

Address

1355 W. 26th Street
San Bernardino, CA
92405

Telephone

+19098900400

Website

http://www.mountainsfoundation.org/, https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/music-in-the-mountains-2026-4836366, https://donate.m

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