Page 2—April 2021From the PublisherTwo years running,marking Earth Daymeans getting creativeThefirst Earth Day was on April 22,1970 and I actually remember itwell, all these years later.I was in middle school and for studentsit was a day’s reprieve from the usual ThreeR grind of reading, riting, rithmetic. Therewere ecology-themed films and outdoorfun and games, dedicated to this great blueplanet and more fun than classroom stuff.Earth Day got more people than justus students involved. It’s estimated that 20million took part that first year, about 10%of the country’s population back then. Noweach Earth Day, at least pre-pandemic, mobilizesa billion people around the worldinto some sort of environmental action inover 190 countries.Democratic Wisconsin senatorGaylord Nelson came up with the idea ofa teach-in on college campuses and enlistedthe support of Republican congressmanPete McCloskey. The pair engaged DenisHayes who created an 85 person staff tolaunch events across the country. The namewas changed to Earth Day which immediatelyresonated with the press and public.Within a few months of the first EarthDay, the Environmental Protection Agencywas created, along with first-of-their-kindlaws. Like the National EnvironmentalEducation Act, Occupational Safety andHealth Act, and the Clean Air Act. Thosewho remember the bad smog days of the1960’s in Orange and Los Angeles Countiesknow how valuable the latter law is.More action continued to follow asEarth Day became an event that broughtboth political parties together along withbusiness and faith groups, educators, reallyeverybody. Two years later the CleanWater Act was passed followed a year afterthat by the Endangered Species Act.Then the Federal Insecticide, Fungicideand Rodenticide Act.In 1990, 20 years after the first event,Earth Day went global. Over 200 millionpeople participated in 141 countries. Theevent gave the worldwide recycling efforta huge boost and helped lead to the 1992United Nations Earth Summit in Rio deJaneiro. For his idea in founding Earth Day,senator Nelson was awarded the PresidentialMedal of Freedom, the nation’s highestcivilian honor, by President Clinton.Last year marked 50 years since thefirst Earth Day, a half-century, usually abig deal and golden anniversary. EarthDay’s was hardly even mentioned. Ofcourse, in April 2020 we were in the earlythroes of this novel coronavirus and peoplewere being told to stay indoors, not out.Now comes the first Earth Day sincethe milestone one that flew under the radarlast year. 2021 seems to be on the sametrajectory. Visitors to earthday.org find ascattering of events across the country includinga couple in the Southland. That’sfor in-person events, which is kind of thewhole purpose of Earth Day to begin with.There are additional virtual events if you’recontent to do Earth Day online.Locally Earth Day has never receivedthe attention you’d expect. Bear ValleyElectric Service annually hosts an expowith environment-related vendors but it’sa no-go for the second year in a row. Nothingat Big Bear Discovery Center either,closed till Fall 2021.Sometimes there’s been a hike orcleanup tied to Earth Day but never thekind of annual event that would get listedon earthday.org to begin with. Surprisinggiven that Big Bear is surrounded by NationalForest and home to a stunning lake,with species found here and nowhere elsein the world (story page 4). There’s noteven a hike or cleanup this year.There are two volunteer Saturdaysaround Earth Day to get involved with ifyou’re so inclined. The long-runningGreenthumbs is expected to return April17 but the scheduled March date was canceledso who knows. Restoration days returna week later on April 24, but only fivepeople are needed. Read about both eventsand how to participate in this issue.Otherwise it looks like a quiet 2021Earth Day, both in Big Bear and aroundthe country, even globe. Of course, any dayfeaturing environmental engagement canbe Earth Day. Whether you pick up brokensnow toys and trash in the forest, explorerare pebble plain terrain, take a hike,there’s lots of ways to mark Earth Day.At least people don’t look weird at youanymore when you step out of the house,unlike a year ago during official lockdown.Though I do confess to having busted outof confinement last year to mark Earth Dayon the Pacific Crest Trail, which whileclosed to thru-hikers trekking the whole2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, wasopen for day hikes.Along with a ski day at Mt. Baldy,probably the only resort in the world openat the time with all others shut down.Which makes me one of the very few whoskied to celebrate Earth Day 2020!Have a good one.MarcusON THE COVER: See wildflowers that grow here and nowhere else in the world on thePebble Plain, in Baldwin Lake and other areas, with great hiking to boot.Volume 32, Number 10 April 2021457816PublisherMarcus G. DietzAssociate PublisherSandra L. DietzPublishing ConsultantBret ColsonTechnical ConsultantCharles DietzPhotography/DistributionSteve DietzJohn DaskamMark GaugerIn This Issue...Big Bear TodayWalk on the Wild(flower) SideBig Bear’s favorite spring trail isn’t long, but packs a bigwallop as it winds through Baldwin Lake Ecological Preserve,home to rare wildflowers found here and nowhere else. Thevisitor center at the trailhead won’t be open and there’s noguided tours as in past years, but the trail is open showing offa real “super” bloom.More Than One Pebble Plain to ExploreThe main expanse of this terrain unique to Big Bear in BaldwinLake gets most of the attention, but there’s other areas toexplore too. A great trail network winds through Sawmill,Dixie Lee and other Pebble Plains smack in the middle of BigBear City, but with remote feel.In-Person Bird Walks, Online Talks at ChirpMonthly bird walks and talks return to Chirp Nature Center, achance to explore birding hot spots in Big Bear and learn aboutour winged friends. Bird populations have seen shockingdeclines in the last 50 years and this is your chance to giveavian assistance.4 Dozen Beers on Tap, Spirits, and BBQThe new outdoor patio with cornhole and other games hasproven handy at the Bone Yard in the Village, with plenty ofseating and kid and dog-friendly. Just another reason to visit,as if great barbecue, nearly four dozen beers on tap, andhundreds of spirits and bottles of wine weren’t enough. Plus aspecial Cigar & Whiskey sampling event coming soon too!Hike Pacific Crest Trail to `Eye of the God’It was a sacred site to the Serrano Indians and a rock pile todynamite to subsequent miners looking for gold. Eye of theGod is still an impressive sight despite the desecration and agreat destination reached by hiking Pacific Crest Trail.Mark Earth Day with forest volunteerefforts. See pages 7 and 10 for detailsDEPARTMENTS231314From the PublisherPotpourriArea Map/Calendar of EventsThe AlmanacBig Bear's most completelistings for recreation,dining, and more.Big Bear Today is a monthly magazine covering recreation,dining, nightlife, and events in Big Bear. Reproduction of anymaterial, without the express written consent of the Publisher,is prohibited. Advertising/editorial, call Big Bear Today at (909)585-5533. Mailing address: PO Box 3180, Big Bear City, CA,92314. E-Mail: bigbeartoday@verizon.net. Member, Visit BigBear and Big Bear Chamber of Commerce. Internet Address:bigbeartodaymag.comProduction: Offset printing by G.W. Reed Printing, Inc.Color prepress by 2-Bit Studio.Manuscripts and Art: Contributions are welcome. BigBear Today is not responsible nor liable for unsolicitedmanuscripts or art. Materials received will not be returned.© Copyright 2021 Big Bear Today
Big Bear Today April 2021—Page 3
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