2015 CONSERVATION IN REVIEW
By: Ed Wallace, Conservation Chair
Lots of good things happened in the Big Bear conservation arena in 2016. The Big Bear Group participated in the development of a master plan for the Rathbun Creek Corridor project. This project when completed will culminate in a multi-use trail from the National Forest in Sand Canyon to the Lake. It will also result in improved riparian habitats along the creek. The Group was active in the continued development of the Pebble Plains Wildlands Park which ls situated between Moonridge and Sugarloaf. When completed this park will help conserve one of the last pristine pebble plains in the Big Bear Valley. One of the important uses of the park will be to function as an outdoor science lab for the students in the Big Bear School System. As Group Conservation Chair, I have conducted presentations on the formation of the pebble plains and their unique plant life for the sixth grade sciences classes at Baldwin Lane Elementary School and the biology class at Big Bear High School. In addition to the presentations the students have taken field trips to the Sawmill Pebble Plain where they participate in an outdoor curriculum developed by the Big Bear Valley Education Trust.
The wet lands along route 18 where the old outdoor movie theater and real estate office are located along with the land on the lake side of route 18 has been purchased by the San Bernardino Land Trust with funds from both the federal and state Departments of Fish and Wildlife. This purchase will protect for all times the wetland habitat contained on these properties and the endangered and rare plant species that they call home. The old real estate building will be turned into an outdoor nature center for the students in the Big Bear Valley school system. This will take considerable effort and money which will be the future challenge to those groups that become involved.
Big Bear Group Adopts a Trail
In 2015, The Big Bear Group adopted the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve Interpretive Trail. The Reserve is a unique area that is well known for supporting extremely high concentrations of rare plant species – among the highest in North America. This Reserve supports the rare “Pebble Plain Plants” found only in the Big Bear area. Self-guided tour can be accomplished with an Interpretive Trail map available at the site. This Reserve is located on the north side of Baldwin Lake on Hwy 18. Free parking is available.
It is our goal to maintain this trail so that many individuals can enjoy the outdoors and learn of the unique plant and tree life in the Big Bear area.