Our Mission

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that (1) supports youth development through conservation initiatives integrating environmental education, training and hands-on service projects; (2) protects our natural resources through adult and family-led programming; (3) provides interpretive services that focus on outdoor recreation, responsible use, and stewardship of our natural environment; and (4) collaborates with multi-agencies to help create healthy forested and urban communities. 

We achieve our mission by raising money, organizing critical volunteer resources, and creating and managing programs focused on health, stewardship and sustainability of our Southern California mountains and urban “forests”.   

News:

Discovery Center
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the NEW Nature Discovery Zone at the Big Bear Discovery Center is scheduled for Friday, May 24, at 10am.  Donors, board members and public are invited; please join us!    

Music in the Mountains; season passes for this summer's series of 3 shows are almost sold out; we have about 20 left to sell; buy yours now; $95 each adult; 3 shows with reserved parking and bench seating.  General admission tickets and single event bench seats are available and selling briskly -- thank you for your support!  Help heal our mountains with music.

National Children's Forest
Visitor Center opens May 25 through September 1; meet our youth leaders and learn about our wildlife, natural history, or take a guided hike! 

Fire Lookouts
All 7 Lookouts will be open by May 25; our Lookouts are working visitor centers staffed by volunteer hosts; please join us for some amazing views and learn how we spot fires, mountain ecology, and how we're keeping the lookouts a vibrant part of our local mountains. 

Forest Care Extended
Forest Care has been given extended until December 31, 2013 to help create more healthy and fire-safe forested communities!  We will meet with interested landowners through August, 2013.  Reimbursement requests must be received by the Forest Care office by September 15, 2013.