Jerusalem cricket, Photo by Joel Sartore/ National Geographic Photo Ark
Watch Live: The Big Bear Bald Eagle Family
FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam
From Photo Ark, Page 4
Red octopus, Photo by Joel Sartore/ National Geographic Photo Ark
apartment building to find a spot for a shared pollinator garden, even if it’s on a roof. Or, think about working with local groups to build community native plant gardens in other shared spaces, like schools, community centers or parks. No action is too small when it comes to protecting wildlife and safeguarding their critical habitats.” DePaveLA, a collaborative project between Accelerate Resilience L.A. and Hyphae Design Laboratory, reported in January that 44% of Los Angeles County’s 312,453 acres of pavement is unnecessary. Sartore was not surprised by this finding following his ride on an Angel City Air helicopter. “The helicopter pilot pointed out how, in his 30 years of flying the LA Basin, how nearly all the green space had been swallowed up by development,” Sartore said. “Pretty soon the only undeveloped land will be the steepest hillsides and that’ll be it (the pilot said).” In addition to huge cities, California is also the most biodiverse state in the lower 48, Sartore points out. Habitat loss driven by human population growth and development is a primary cause of species extinction. “Until we humans start setting aside large tracts of protected forests, prairies, tundra and oceans, big spaces where we don’t swoop in and consume everything, we’re going to see plants and animals disappear at an even faster rate,” Sartore said. “The choice is really up to us, but if money is all that matters, it’s going to be game over. The future, quite literally, is in our hands now.”
Crested capuchin, Photo by Joel Sartore/ National Geographic Photo Ark
F ollowing the excitement of last year’s successful fledging of Sunny and Gizmo, Big Bear eagle cam viewers and Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) volunteers have had a rollercoaster season leading up to pure joy on April 4 and 5 when two chicks hatched on Jackie and Shadow’s nest. Now, people around the world are watching and rooting for the bald eagle family again. In late January, Jackie laid her first clutch of two eggs, but they were destroyed by ravens just days later. The second clutch was laid in late February. On Feb. 11, the FOBBV community suffered a great loss when longtime executive director and fierce environmental advocate Sandy Steers succumbed to cancer. Along with neighbors, Steers founded the nonprofit educational organization in 2001 and in 2015, with the help of a U.S. Forest Service biologist, the nest cam was installed. Today, FOBBV operates two webcams near the nest, 24/7 advertising free; and moderates daily live chats. The FOBBV YouTube channel has more than 700,000 subscribers. In remembrance, the FOBBV team wrote: “Sandy was a strong, independent and determined woman! We could and we all did learn a thing or two from her. She brought nature into our homes with the eagle cam, her presentations and
her colorful eagle stories. She made us think and look at nature in a whole new and deeper way.” A public, outdoor celebration of her life will be held this spring. FOBBV is continuing Steers’ decades-long fight to prevent a luxury home development called Moon Camp that would be built less one mile from the nest tree. After years of court battles, the development was approved last year. Steers led negotiations that led to a limited agreement between the developer and the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust (SBMLT) for the trust to buy the land for $10 million to permanently conserve and preserve its nearly 63 acres. After the sale, the land will become part of the United States Forest Service (USFS). SBMLT only has until July 31 to raise the funds. Nearly $2 million has been raised and the two nonprofits are seeking major donors. To donate, go to SaveMoonCamp.org Per wildlife regulations, no one is allowed to go near the nest which is 145 feet up a Jeffrey Pine tree. In fact, the San Bernardino National Forest closes hiking trails in the area every year during the brooding season. However, everyone is welcome to tune into the two FOBBV live cam feeds, just be aware of adorable chick obsession syndrome! ~Elizabeth Smilor
Santa Catalina Island fox, Photo by Joel Sartore/ National Geographic Photo Ark
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