California OHV Grant Program Seeks Public Input

San Bernardino, CA, March 6, 2012, 8:00am – San Bernardino National Forest recreation managers are seeking public comments on their proposals for the California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program. Public comments can be submitted through April 2. The State is using an Internet-based “On-Line Grant Application” process as the means to apply for State funding. San Bernardino National Forest is soliciting public input specific to the Forest’s grant application proposals for Cooperative Agreements with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division. The Forest will be submitting four grant applications. The grants include projects for ground operations, restoration of unauthorized routes, boulder placement, and new single-track trails planning for the Mountaintop District. Law enforcement grants are submitted regionally. The preliminary application will be available online by visiting the California State OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements program at http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit:http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf.

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Fire Restrictions Reduced on National Forest Land

Big Bear, Ca, February 23, 2012, 12:00pm – With the recent winter weather the Big Bear Valley, and surrounding San Bernardino National Forest received, fire restrictions have once again been reduced.  Under normal winter weather conditions fire restriction remain reduced throughout the winter months, however this year fire restrictions were heightened after a spell of warm weather, and little moisture.  Winter burning projects will resume under the guidance of the Forest service as part of a continuing effort to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health.  Visitors may once again have wood and charcoal fires in agency provided campfire rings at campgrounds, picnic areas and yellow post sites.  Campfire permits are still required for propane and gas stoves, and smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles on national forest land.  As always fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.  For more information about fire restrictions and controlled fire burnings contact the Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center at  909-382-2790.

Help Count Eagles and Learn More About Them This Weekend

Big Bear, Ca, February 9, 2012, 12:00pm – The Discovery Center is once again seeking volunteers for this weekends Eagle Count on February 11^th. No experience is needed, but volunteers are encouraged to dress warmly and bring binoculars and a watch.  Volunteers should meet at the Discovery Center located on North Shore Drive at 8:00am on February 11^th.  In addition to the eagle counting, there will also be a celebration for the Bald Eagle at 11:00am, in which US Forest Service Biologists will host a free one hour educational Eagle presentation at the Discovery Center.  Attendees will learn about the Eagles’ migration and behavior habits, an overview of hazards that have affected Eagles throughout history, and how the Eagle has recovered from historical lows as an endangered species in the 1970’s.   Our Bald Eagles normally migrate out of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains in late March, heading back to summer homes in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Alberta, Canada. In recent years, a pair of Bald Eagles has remained at Lake Hemet and successfully produced several eaglets.

Help the Community Gardens Win $10,000

Big Bear, Ca, January 18, 2012, 12:00pm - The Big Bear Lake Department of Water & Power along with Robbie Bos and the Community Gardens project are teaming up to make the China Gardens and Drought Tolerant Demonstration garden a reality here in the Big Bear Valley.  Currently the DWP has entered the Community Gardens Project into a contest that could provide the project with $10,000.  The gardens on Fox Farm Rd will include a fruit tree orchard as well as nearly 40 community plots where individuals and families can plant, maintain and grow the gardens of their choice. It also includes a plot where vegetables will be grown and distributed to social support organizations such as churches and food banks. The gardens will also feature a green house for germination and winter crops, a three stage composting system, water storage tank, ADA raised beds, and a community education area. To help the garden project receive $10,000 you can vote everyday through March 15^th. Go to www.iuowawards.com and search for China Garden. Click to vote and you’re done!

Fire Level Has Been Increased To Very High: Fire Restrictions Elevated

Big Bear, Ca, January 13, 2012, 4:00pm - The US Forest Service has elevated the fire danger level to very high due to the dry, warm weather the San Bernardino County and other areas have been experiencing.  Fire Danger increases with the unseasonable warmer, drier weather along with persistent Santa Ana wind conditions.  Fire officials are closely monitoring the weather and fuel conditions, adjusting staffing levels, and increasing or lowering fire use restrictions as deemed necessary. The following fire restrictions and guidelines are now in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest areas:  Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves.  Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites.  Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting. An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles.  Smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site. And as always, fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions.  Forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the Big Bear Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions at (909) 382-2790

Forest Service Increases Number of “Fee Free” Days To Eight This Year!

Big Bear, Ca, January 11, 2012, 4:00pm - The U.S. Forest Service announced this week that eight dates have been chosen to be fee free days for the national forests nationwide.  Usually in years past there have been two or three fee free days, where adventure seekers don’t need to purchase an adventure pass for their car to park on National Forest Land, and this year the Forest Service has increased the number to eight days.   “We encourage the public to get outdoors in America’s vast and dynamic playground,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We hope that visiting your beautiful national forests and grasslands will help people gain a deep appreciation for natural resources, and create lifelong memories.”  This Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend will be filled with fee free days, with Saturday through Monday, requiring no adventure pass.  Later on in the year, June 9^th, Get Outdoors Day, September 29^th, National Public Lands Day, and November 10^th through 12^th Veterans Day Weekend will also be fee free days.  The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Volunteers Needed For January Bald Eagle Count

Big Bear, Ca, January 10, 2012, 3:00pm - On Saturday January 14^th, the second bald eagle count of the winter will be conducted around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains and your help is needed!  During the first bald eagle count in December, a grand total of 9 eagles (5 adults and 4 juveniles) were observed at the lake areas.  The number of bald eagles in southern California typically starts of low in December, peaking in January and February, and tapers off in March.  The Forest Service is looking for volunteers to help count bald eagles this Saturday.  Volunteer’s will be stationed at vantage points around Big Bear Lake, in which they will map and note any eagle observations during a 1-hour period on Saturday Morning.  “Through this method, the Forest Service has acquired information about areas eagles use and fluctuations in population numbers,” said Forest Service wildlife biologist Marc Stamer. “There’s no experience needed for volunteers and this is a wonderful opportunity to catch a glimpse of our breath-taking national symbol.” In addition to Saturday mornings eagle count, February 11, and March 10. Volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center on North Shore Drive. Contact Robin Eliason 909-382-2832 for more information.

Winter Trails Day: Enjoy the Wilderness in the Winter!

Big Bear, Ca, January 2, 2012 - This Saturday, celebrate the great outdoors at Winter Trails Day at the Big Bear Discovery Center.  Local organizations, the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation, Open Air Big Bear, City of Big Bear Lake, Rim Nordic, North Shore Trading Co, and the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association will partner with the National Forest Association and REI to host a day dedicated to Winter Trails, and winter outdoor activities.  The event which will start at 10:00am will feature Snowshoe Demos, a presentation by the City of Big Bear Lake on the Master Plan of Trails Process, a snowshoe hike, animal tracking, a 100 yard Snowshoe Dash, and nature walks.  The event is free to attend, and is great for families.  If you haven’t tried snowshoeing yet, and are interested in finding out more information about the growing sport, this event is the perfect place to find out more information.  Snowshoeing is an excellent form of low-risk, low impact aerobic exercise that can help improve or maintain cardiovascular fitness as well as burn calories. REI will also host “A Leave No Trace Plan Ahead and Prepare” presentation geared for outdoor winter sports; winter backpack campsite demo, and host prizes for games such as “guess the weight of the backpack”.  For more information go to www.NationalForestAssociation.org.

Mountain Driving Tips: Don’t Play In The Snow On the Highways!

Big Bear, Ca, December 27, 2011, 5:00pm - The California Highway Patrol and Cal Trans want to remind motorists of safe mountain driving tips to help ease traffic, and prevent accidents this holiday season.  There are three routes up to the Big Bear Valley, and during busy holiday weekends such as these, it is advised to utilize the “East is Least” route of Highway 38 through the Redlands/ Mentone area, or the back grade of Highway 18 through Lucerne Valley and the High Desert.  Utilizing these routes could save you from spending an excess amount of time in traffic on the front grade Highway 18 to Highway 330.  If you want to play in the snow, do so in a designated snow play area, or ensure that your vehicle is safely pulled off the side of the road, where it will not be blocking lanes on the road. Also be aware of sledding hills in their relation to traffic, as some areas are not safe or suggested because sleds can continue onto the roadway, putting the snow player and motorists on the road in danger.   If you are driving on the highways and have vehicles behind you, use one of the many turnouts found on all routes in and out of the Big Bear Valley.  You can receive a ticket if you do not use the turnouts and you have five or more vehicles behind you.  Make sure that you carry chains in your vehicle, no matter what kind of vehicle you have, as it is the law that you carry chains in the winter months when traveling in the mountains.

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