April 2021 Big Bear Today Magazine
Visiting Big Bear Lake, California? Big Bear Today Magazine April 2021 issue is must-reading with stories on the Pebble Plain and trail where species grow here and nowhere else in the world. Hike Pacific Crest Trail to Eye of God, sacred to Serrano Indians, then have a beef and beef at Bone Yard. Grizzlies at the zoo, bald eagles, bird walks, Village Faire shopping and more! Calendar of events too!
Visiting Big Bear Lake, California? Big Bear Today Magazine April 2021 issue is must-reading with stories on the Pebble Plain and trail where species grow here and nowhere else in the world. Hike Pacific Crest Trail to Eye of God, sacred to Serrano Indians, then have a beef and beef at Bone Yard. Grizzlies at the zoo, bald eagles, bird walks, Village Faire shopping and more! Calendar of events too!
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Big Bear Today April 2021—Page 7
Nurture nature with bird walks, talks
Nurture your nature with free in-person
and virtual bird walks and talks held
by Chirp Nature Center starting May 1.
First in-person bird walk of the season
is on Saturday, May 1. Metcalf
Meadow is the destination, one of six
birding hotspots in Big Bear Valley and the
National Forest to be explored in 2021.
Birders of all experience levels enjoy
observing and identifying local Big Bear
birds and learn good viewing locations, and
there’s free species checklists provided by
Chirp. Experienced birders can practice
identification skills and share with fellow
nature enthusiasts.
Walks are free and no reservation is
required but the group does depart Chirp
Nature Center (40850 Village Dr.)
promptly at 8 a.m. Outings last around an
hour-and-a-half with moderate walking or
hiking. Complimentary refreshments follow
at Chirp with questions and answers.
Future in-person bird walks are set for
June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4 and
October 2. Participants need to wear masks
and social distance on the walk as per cur-
Dirty hands give forest a helping hand
Give the forest a helping hand by getting
your hands dirty as part of a longrunning
native plant restoration volunteer
program returning next month.
Greenthumbs volunteer days are set
to begin April 17 as helpers plant and seed
native trees, shrubs and wildflowers
across many new sites while maintaining
existing projects. Volunteers learn to identify,
collect and propagate native plants
in the Forest Service’s newly renovated
nursery facilities. These efforts improve
habitat for wildlife, plants, Monarch butterfly
and other pollinators.
Big Bear Ranger Station itself has
two greenhouses, a lathe house, and seed
storage shed, and volunteers use these facilities
to grow and outplant thousands
of native plants from seed they collect, to
give the forest a hand in its regenerative
efforts. Hundreds of acres of habitat have
been enhanced in the process for wildlife,
federally listed plants and animals,
and other degraded lands in the program
since its inception in 1998.
Covid-compliant workdays are from
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring a mask plus lunch,
water, sun protection and sturdy shoes.
Gloves, tools, restrooms and hand sanitizer
provided. Confirm in advance.
Subsequent 2021 Greenthumbs days
are May 15, June 12, July 10 and 24, August
21, September 25 (National Public
Lands Day) and October 23. Call (909)
382-2809 to pre-register or email
megan.clement@usda.gov.
In-person bird walks return each month starting May 1 led by Chirp
rent Covid protocols. Bring water and binoculars
and scopes for better viewing.
Virtual Bird Walks begin May 12, held
the second Wednesday each month and
streamed live online via Facebook and
YouTube. Tine in at 5 p.m. for 30 minutes
of Big Bear’s natural splendor, as participants
learn about wild birds, points of interest
and fun facts.
Subsequent virtual walks are on June
9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Oct. 13.
Free, and after the program participants can
take a quiz and win prizes.
Chirp also hosts Expert Bird Talks on
the third Saturday each month, beginning
May 15. Each hour-long interactive presentation
highlights a particular naturetheme
topic with expert insights from noteworthy
authors, scientists and naturalists.
Talks are at 10 a.m. and are streamed live
on Facebook and YouTube.
First program of the season is May 15,
“Big Bear’s Bald Eagles,” timely given the
nesting pair’s activities of late. Future talks
are on June 19, July 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 18
and Oct. 16 featuring woodpeckers, raptors,
owls and more.
Chirp is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Standard
Motel Rooms
$85
with Fireplace
& Queen Bed
Non-Holiday / Midweek
Weekends Slightly Higher
Subject to change without notice.
Chirp Nature Center is at 40850 Village
Dr. Call (888) 412-4477.
Work to begin on new bike trail
Construction of a dedicated, new halfmile
bicycle trail on Sandalwood Drive is
about to begin and more exciting projects
may be in the works too.
The new trail will begin at the Rathbun
Creek crossing on Sandalwood and continue
east to Big Bear Blvd. and Stanfield
Cutoff. Construction is expected to begin
in April or May, and be complete by late
summer or early fall. When finished the
trail will be a safer, more convenient connection
from the City to Alpine Pedal Path
on the North Shore.
Total cost of the project is $1.15 million
and is funded exclusively by state
grant funds and transient occupancy taxes.
The project is a key segment of the City's
overall bicycle trail plan, which seeks to
provide a continuous dedicated bicycle
trail system (approximately 3.5 miles) from
the Moonridge area to the Alpine Pedal
Path and Division Dr. within the next 5
years.
CLOSE TO VILLAGE,
LAKE, DINNING
CLOSE to SLOPES!
Deluxe
Spa Rooms
$145
with Cozy
Fireplace
(800) 255-4378
local (909) 866-2166
41121 Big Bear Blvd. • Big Bear Lake, CA
www.BlackForestLodge.com