big bear discovery center tours

Big Bear Discovery Center

The Big Bear Discovery Center, located in Fawnskin, California, is a visitor and educational facility nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake. It serves as a gateway to the natural wonders of the region, providing valuable information about the surrounding environment, local flora and fauna, and recreational opportunities.

About the Big Bear Discovery Center

Visitors can explore interactive exhibits that showcase the diverse ecosystems of the San Bernardino Mountains, participate in educational programs and guided nature walks, and obtain trail maps and permits for outdoor activities. The Discovery Center is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and seasonal interpretive programs.

The Big Bear Discovery Center is located on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake

Parking Information

Ample parking is available at the Big Bear Discovery Center. The center's parking area is well-maintained and can accommodate both individual vehicles and larger groups.If you will be hiking on trails be sure to check the closing hours as the parking lot will be locked in the evenings. 

Nearby Hiking Trails

At the Big Bear Discovery Center there is a short nature trail. You can also park at The Discovery Center and walk to the Woodland Interpretive Trail or the Cougar Crest Trailhead. From the Cougar Crest Trail you can connect to the Alpine Pedal Path and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Cougar Crest Trail

Woodland Interpretive Trail

Big Bear Discovery Center Nature Trail

Alpine Pedal Path in Big Bear Lake

Frequently asked questions, where is the big bear discovery center located.

The Big Bear Discovery Center is conveniently located at 40971 North Shore Drive in Fawnskin, California. It is located on the northshore of Big Bear Lake. 

Is there Parking at the Big Bear Discovery Center?

Visitors to the Big Bear Discovery Center can park in a designated lot in the front of the Discovery Center. There is ample parking available.

What are the Hours of Operation for the Big Bear Discovery Center

The Big Bear Discovery Center is typically open Thurs-Mon, from 9 am – 4 pm

It's recommended to check the official website or contact the Discovery Center directly for the most up-to-date information on operating hours, as they might vary seasonally and depending on whether conditions. 

What to Expect at the Big Bear Discovery Center

The Big Bear Discovery Center serves a role similar to that of the Big Bear Lake's visitor center. It provides a platform to discover information about nearby hiking trails, learn about the local plant and animal life, engage in nature-oriented events, and explore captivating exhibits showcasing local nature and wildlife.

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Dec 28 2022

Big Bear Discovery Center

Big Bear Discovery Center in Big Bear Lake, California

The Big Bear Discovery Center is a nature center and visitor information center located in the San Bernardino National Forest in Big Bear Lake, California. It is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. It is a popular destination for visitors who want to learn about the natural history, geology, and ecology of the Big Bear area.

The Discovery Center is located near Big Bear Lake and offers a variety of educational exhibits and interactive displays about the local environment. It also has a gift shop and a small theater that shows films about the surrounding area. The Discovery Center is a helpful place to start your visit to Big Bear, as it provides helpful information about local attractions, activities, and amenities.

In addition to exhibits and displays, the Discovery Center also offers a variety of educational programs and events for all ages. These may include guided hikes, nature talks, and other activities that allow visitors to learn more about the local environment and culture along the Discovery Center’s Nature Walking Trail .

The Discovery Center is open daily and admission is free. A popular stop for families, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, it is a fascinating way to learn about the beauty and diversity of the Big Bear area.

Reviews of Big Bear Discovery Center

“Good example of local flora and fauna. Suitable hands on exhibits make it interactive for children. The local hiking trails allow are nice. When available the telescopic view of the nesting eagles are amazing. Great place to take the family.”

“Big Bear Discovery Center always has something going on all year long. From concerts to nature walks, special events and craft programs. It’s staffed by VERY knowledgeable volunteers that can direct you to just about anywhere or anything you want to see and even suggest places you might not have known is up there. They have plenty of hand-outs that detail trails and areas to visit. They have maps you can take of the area and also maps of the off roading trails if you want to do some 4 wheeling or two wheeling. Southern California Mountains Foundation has also just recently reopened the gift shop area that was closed for some time. There’s plenty for young kids to see and touch here at the visitor center. They have also opened up a room as a California Conservation Corps museum.”

“The Big Bear Discovery Center is a great place to stop in and get information about the San Bernardino Mountains. The rangers are helpful and informative. There is a small gift shop with some toys and things for kids and some books on the history of the Big Bear Valley. Also at the Discovery Center are several interactive displays. They have all sorts of animals that can be found in the Big Bear area on display.

On the north side of the Discovery Center is an interactive play area for kids. There is a Bald Eagle nest, sand box, spider web, and sticks to build with.”

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Big Bear Discovery Center

A trip to Big Bear Lake, California a dream for outdoor enthusiasts that hail from near and far. This lush landscape teeming with wildlife and prime hiking trails makes for excellent adventures in the great outdoors. Whether you’re an expert outdoorsman, or new to getting out into nature, a stop by the Big Bear Discovery Center is an essential add to the itinerary.

Get Insider Advice

Nestled between North Shore Drive and Highway 38, the Big Bear Discovery Center is a destination dedicated to providing visitors with the foundation they’ll need and information they’ll love to make the most of their time in Big Bear Lake. Over 190,000 visitors stop by each year to speak with the naturalists on hand, participate in sponsored activities and get insider advice on how to best approach Big Bear Lake so as not to miss out on anything amazing.

As gatekeepers of the San Bernardino Forest, the team at the Big Bear Discovery Center is passionate about helping visitors plan trips through the area that are ideal for making great memories and keeping the natural world is pristine condition. Maps, forest permits, and camping information are readily available when you swing by this location. Those looking for hiking maps, trail information or off-roading adventures will find a wealth of information at the Big Bear Discovery Center. Those who work at the center can even help set up a private eco-tour upon request for those looking for a more personalized approach to understanding the area.

Participate in Center Events

While the Big Bear Discovery Center offers up much-needed advice for visitors, it also hosts some of the best eco-friendly events around. Since it’s opening in 1998, the Big Bear Discovery Center has regularly maintained on-site displays and exhibits highlighting the area’s natural resources and wildlife. Outdoor concerts and live theater are commonplace at the Big Bear Discovery Lodge and weekly educational programs as well as eco-tours are available nearly everyday of the week. An amphitheater at the center provides the perfect stage for delivering up fun, informative and educational information that helps everyone who visits become a more responsible tourist. Whether you’re excited to learn about local plant life, thrilled to encounter wildlife or want to understand how to interpret animal tracks on the trail, the knowledgeable team at the Big Bear Discovery Center is here to lend a hand and offer up an amazing opportunity to expand your horizons in Big Bear Lake.

Let the Home Experts Help

When you’re visiting Big Bear Lake and have your itinerary mapped out after a stop at the Discovery Center, make sure you’re booked into a vacation home that keeps you close to your route. The team at Big Bear Vacations will help you cozy up in a rustic bungalow or spacious home to fit your taste and style. Contact us today to get started planning your next getaway!

To book this experience call: 909-382-2790

Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9AM-4PM

Tuesday-Wednesday: closed

A trip to Big Bear Lake a dream for outdoor enthusiasts that hail from near and far. This lush landscape teeming with wildlife and prime hiking trails makes for excellent adventures in the great outdoors. Whether you’re an expert outdoorsman, or new to getting out into nature, a stop by the Big Bear Discovery Center is an essential add to the itinerary.

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Big Bear Discovery Center

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Big Bear Discovery Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Big Bear Discovery Center

At the Discovery Center you can purchase your Adventure Pass, if you travel into the forest, your parked vehicle must display a Forest Adventure Pass - a 1 day pass is $5 and a season pass is $35.

At the Discovery Center you and the family can take a Guided Nature Tour / learn how to track animals / join a Discovery Center Naturalist for a bird walk / take a wildflower tour or obtain permits for camping, campfires, & wilderness area trips. The Discovery Center has events all through the summer.

Visitors to the Center can enjoy the constantly changing exhibits on wildlife and browse through The Adventure Outpost gift shop & bookstore -revenues support this non-profit Center. The programs are brought to you through a partnership of the San Bernardino Nat. Forest Association and The San Bernardino Nat. Forest.

For pictures of the Big Bear Lake campgrounds and Hiking trails go to the Activities Guide at the top left menu of this website. Phone: 909 866-3437

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Big Bear Discovery Center

The Big Bear Discovery Center in California is a unique and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Located on the north shore of Big Bear Lake, this learning center features educational exhibits and hands-on activities regarding the natural environment, as well as providing information about the San Bernardino National Forest. 

Opened in 1998, the Big Bear Discovery Center has become one of the most popular attractions in the area, with over 190,000 yearly visitors. This incredible attraction offers a variety of displays and activities that are designed to educate and entertain guests. 

Here you can explore interactive exhibits about local wildlife, plants, geology, and history. In addition, there are several hands-on activities like panning for gold or exploring a simulated cave system to wow the group. 

And if hiking and outdoor adventures are on the agenda, the center also provides information about local recreational opportunities such as hiking trails and fishing spots. Or, if you prefer, take guided hikes and nature walks through the surrounding forest, giving you an up-close look at some of California's most beautiful landscapes.

The Big Bear Discovery Center is a great place to visit whether you're looking for educational insight or want to explore nature's beauty in California's San Bernardino National Forest. 

With multiple interactive displays, guided hikes, and more—there's something for everyone at this fantastic Big Bear attraction!

Interesting Features 

Did you know that Big Bear Discovery Center serves as an essential gateway to discovery and adventures?

This beautiful center offers access to kayaking tours on Big Bear Lake, where you can rent kayaks and enjoy the scenic waters. 

Or, if you prefer hiking, step onto the half-mile loop trail near Big Bear City and explore meadows filled with wildflowers in springtime and dense forests filled with pine trees year round. And along the way, you may spot deer or even black bears if you're lucky!

This superb trail takes about 13 minutes to complete, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy other activities like the Jackrabbit Homestead Museum, which showcases what life was like during Big Bear’s gold rush days in the 1880s-1930s.  

Or wander over to the observation tower and enjoy sweeping views of the region. 

With plenty of amenities available, including picnic tables, a campground, playgrounds, bike rentals, and more, the Big Bear Discovery Center is sure to delight! 

Getting There

Located in the mountains of Southern California, this unique discovery center is on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. Here are directions to the center from Big Bear City:

• Drive north on Big Bear Boulevard from Big Bear City for about 6 miles.
• Turn left onto Stanfield Cutoff Road and follow it for 1 mile.
• Take a slight right onto North Shore Drive and continue for 2 miles until you reach an entrance to the Discovery Center Parking Lot.

Visiting Information

The Big Bear Discovery Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am-4 pm (closed on Fridays). Admission is free, but donations are welcome! 

For more information about visiting hours or upcoming events, please visit their website.

• Remember to bring layers since temperatures can vary significantly between the day and night.
• Make sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray—you never know when you might need it!
• Bring a camera or your smartphone to take pictures of all the amazing things you experience at the Big Bear Discovery Center.
• Check out their website or social media accounts before visiting to see if any special events are happening during your trip!
• Make sure to visit the observation deck for great views of Big Bear Lake and the surrounding mountains.
• Pack binoculars. Using them from the observation deck is a sight to see!

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Big Bear Discovery Center 

The Big Bear Discovery Center is an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest, located within the heart of Big Bear Valley. The goal of Big Bear Discovery Center is to create awareness on becoming more responsible caretakers of our national forests while increasing our enjoyment and knowledge of the great outdoors.

Services include Adventure Passes; maps for hiking and biking and off-roading; camping information; and Forest Service permits. The Big Bear Discovery Center offers naturalist-led interpretive tours such as snowshoe tours and bald eagle celebrations in the winter and Pacific Crest Trail and canoe tours in the summer. 

At the Big Bear Discovery Center, visitors and local residents are able to learn about forest stewardship through interpretive displays, classes and our new Nature Discovery Zone, an outdoor adventure space designed for children 2-7 years old and their families to explore and reconnect to nature. The Discovery Center also serves as host to several concerts throughout the year. Visitors are able to participate in numerous guided tours of the National Forest, included guided canoe and kayak tours of Big Bear Lake. Additionally, The National Recreation Reservation Service handles reservations for most campgrounds, a select few are first-come, first-served. The Big Bear Discovery Center is co-managed by the non-profit Southern California Mountains Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. Entrance is free and the facility is pet friendly.

For more information, call 909-866-3437.

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Big Bear Discovery Center 

When you live in an area known for its natural beauty, you become proud and extremely protective of that beauty, much as a mama bear is proud and protective of her babies! The Big Bear Discovery Center is our version of mama bear. Designed to be the gateway to all that is wonderful about our region while also providing education on the importance of conserving this beautiful country. Located at 40971 North Shore Drive off Highway 38 in Fawnskin, California, the Big Bear Discovery Center is a key stop when planning your Southern California vacation. The kind and helpful experts located here know ALL the secrets to a fun and safe visit to the San Bernardino Mountains.

Behind the Scenes

Sponsored by the non-profit Southern California Mountains Foundation and the US Forest Service, the mission here is to support, protect, and educate. The Big Bear Discovery Center is the hub of all they do; this is where you go whenever you need passes, permits or even maps that lead you to forest roads for off-roading adventures.

The amphitheater at the Center is central to all entertainment events, hosting plays and concerts, as well as educational programs designed to engage your attention as they educate your mind. The Big Bear Discovery Center  also works with scouts and school programs, spreading the message of conservation and protection to the very people who will one day be in charge of our world.

The Big Bear Discovery Center is open Thursday thru Monday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Offering adventure passes, hiking and biking maps, camping information, maps of the forest roads and off-road adventures that can be found along the trails, and interpretative programs and tours headed by naturalists that can answer all your questions, the people that work for the Discovery Center Big Bear are passionate about the outdoors and its inhabitants. This is also the place to go whenever you need any kind of forest service permits; they are pretty much a one stop shop for anything and everything you need during your visit to the San Bernardino forests. We learn something new every time we visit, even after spending a lifetime in the area!

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The Southern California Mountains Foundation is a non-profit that is passionate about our mission and community. We strive to:

• Support youth development through conservation initiatives integrating environmental education, training, and hands-on service projects;
• Protect our natural resources through adult and family-led programming; and 
• Provide interpretive services that focus on outdoor recreation, responsible use, and stewardship of our natural environment.

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”.

Over the past 30 years, the use of national forests has increased while funding has dramatically declined. The Mountains Foundation works to bridge that gap and add value to our local mountains through the visitor experience. It takes the efforts of our staff and more than 700 trained volunteers to support that work.

For the past 20 years, the organization has made a critical difference, executing volunteer programs that donated 1.5 million hours of service valued at $32,685,000.00.

Donate Now to Help Protect Public Lands

Your donation will help protect public lands for everyone, now and for the future., each year our programs have a positive impact on public lands, what we have done:, contribute 70,000 volunteer service hours amounting to $2.1m, native seedlings planted and cared for on public lands, provide naturalist guided eco-tours to over 40,000 visitors, our history.

The solution the stakeholders generated was to create a non-profit to support the work of the San Bernardino National Forest, assisting with the mandate for responsible recreation, undertaking conservation to safeguard the Forest’s future, and providing education that promotes stewardship. The San Bernardino National Forest Association was born.

The organization started out by interpreting the forest to visitors along off-highway vehicle trails and in historic fire lookout towers through their Off Highway Vehicle Safety and Education and Fire Lookout programs, respectively. At the same time, the National Children’s Forest was developed to engage young people.

Hence, the Forest Care and the Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire (UCC) were launched in 2006 in response to assisting homeowners create more fire safe mountain communities and to expand their commitment to youth development. They accomplished this charter through the Urban Conservation Corps by engaging inner city and at-risk youth from both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in conservation projects by integrating education, hands-on work and job readiness training. In the process, the organization has helped young people succeed while creating healthier and sustainable urban public lands and mountains loved by so many Southern Californians. In addition, our restoration efforts expanded the role and voice of youth at Children’s Forest in public lands management.

Over 750 volunteers support the Mountains Foundation on a year-round basis. The Foundation supports public lands and our partners through grants, corporate sponsorships, memberships, private donations and fundraisers.

Mike Jasberg | President

Mike Mutschler started his professional life as a computer programmer and non-destructive testing engineer in the 80’s while in college at Cal Poly Pomona. By 1991, his entrepreneurial tendencies took over and he started a technology support company aimed at helping clients get the most out of their IT budgets. His company, Resource Computer Solutions has been doing just that ever since mostly in Southern California but all over the country as well. He knows and understands what it takes to make a small business successful.

He first got involved as a Board member for the Mountains Foundation in 2015. He was asked to serve because of his passion for the environment and for the preservation of the Big Bear Valley. He has spent a lot of his vacation time in Moonridge since he was 5 years old and continues to make Big Bear his second home. “There is nothing better than making the short drive up the hill and feeling the stress of life slowly dissolve as the sky turns more blue and the air changes to something pure.” He attributes much of his success to the ability for him and his family to get away from it all in just an hour. He believes we have to do everything within our limited power to keep the forest a place where everyone can experience the power and beauty of nature.

Eric R. Mart co-founded the California Land Management Services Corporation (CLM Services) in 1981. He currently serves as President. CLM Services operate commercial recreation businesses on eight National Forests as well as for a variety of other Federal, State, and local government agencies as well as private companies.

Mr. Mart currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Forest Recreation Association (NFRA), the Southern California Mountains Foundation, the Giant Sequoia National Monument Association, the California Parks Hospitality Association, and the Cal Alumni Association (University of California at Berkeley). He is a Charter Member of the California Roundtable on Recreation and Tourism. Mr. Mart has also served on the Board of Directors of the American Recreation Coalition (Washington, DC), the California Trails Foundation, and the Three Forests Interpretive Association (California).

Mr. Mart holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s degree from California State University, Hayward (CSU – East Bay).

Senior marketing officer with broad breadth and depth of marketing experience to both consumers (B-to-C) and enterprises (B-to-B). Specialize in developing clear, unique and compelling value propositions, which disruptively differentiate products and brands in cluttered markets. Leveraging this as a strategic foundation, I bring greater multi-channel and digital focus to product and industry marketing, lead generation, advanced analytics, Data-driven Marketing, and Customer Experience with proven results.

Dan Knapp assumed the role of Executive Director/CEO of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach (CCLB) on February 1, 2016. Prior to joining CCLB Dan served as Deputy Director of the LA Conservation Corps. Dan worked for the LA Conservation Corps for 19 years, the past 9 years in the role of Deputy Director. He started working for the LA Conservation Corps as an environmental science teacher during the summer of 1996.

In addition to his conservation corps work, Dan sits on the board of directors of the Southern California Mountains Foundation, the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), and the California State Conservation Corps Museum. He is an active member of both the National Forest Foundation’s Big Tujunga Treasured Landscape Coordinating Council and LA Metro’s Urban Greening Technical Advisory Committee. Dan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geography from California State University, Long Beach. He is an ISA-certified arborist (WE-6295-A) and a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He currently resides in Huntington Beach with his wife Judy.

Larry Lawrence is Nestle Waters’ Natural Resource Manager for the Southwestern United States, and he has primary responsibility for managing the numerous water resources throughout the region for long-term environmental sustainability. Larry also manages the identification, siting, licensing and development of new spring sources for the Company’s brands. Larry has worked with Nestle Waters since May 2003.

Larry graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His work as a mechanical engineer has included processing machine design, machine automation, process water reuse projects, ground water development, conveyance and remediation over the last 18 years. Prior to joining Nestle Waters, Larry was a Senior Engineer with URS Corp in Southern California. Larry and his wife Cela enjoy traveling, riding his motorcycle, and volunteering with the Southern California Mountains Foundation.

Linda Stevens is a Marketing, Business Development and Strategic Executive with 20 years experience driving year to year growth in the technology sector. She has experience in both global corporations and start-ups. She is a strong strategic thinker with extensive experience providing leadership and management to global teams while providing strategies for continued global growth and profit for a $1 Billion high-tech software, services and education organization with 3,000+ employees. She is noted for ability to motivate performance by fostering creativity and teamwork.

Mr. Davis is a senior shareholder with over thirty-five years of experience representing businesses, individuals, and governmental clients in complex real estate and business transactions and litigation. Mr. Davis has extensive experience evaluating water rights and resources; and in water rights disputes, with an emphasis on groundwater basin adjudications and litigation. Mr. Davis provides land use guidance for water resources management under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Urban Water Management Plans, Integrated Regional Water Management Plans, Water Supply Assessments, and Proposition 218. Mr. Davis has extensive experience as general counsel to numerous county water districts and mutual water companies.

Mr. Davis has extensive experience in eminent domain and inverse condemnation proceedings, organized real estate, and the organization and representation of business entities including non-profit organizations. Mr. Davis has decades of service as general counsel to numerous county water districts, mutual water companies, local associations of California Realtors®, and large common interest developments. Mr. Davis’ dedication to his profession is equaled only by his civic involvement and commitment to community service.

Mr. Randolph’s practice focuses on complex real estate, land use, receivership, and public/private economic development transactions. During his 30-year legal career, he has represented private and public clients in numerous projects involving the assembly, disposition and development of land for residential, commercial and governmental uses, including low- and moderate-income housing. Mr. Randolph’s public sector insight was acquired during 20 years of representing public agencies prior to joining Gresham Savage. Mr. Randolph is a member of the California Receivers Forum and has been appointed by the California courts as a receiver in over 150 receivership cases throughout California. Together with his team of seasoned legal and real estate professionals, he has successfully rehabilitated single-family, multi-family, and commercial projects throughout California.

Mr. Randolph sits on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Mountains Foundation, Riverside Housing Development Corporation, and SmartRiverside.

Dayan Anderson

Steve Baker

Jake Huxman

Larry Lawrence

Rusty Layton

Robert Prince

Kevin Randolph

Matt Tonkovich

Elwood York

Harald Zundel

Stacy Gorin, a 10 year veteran of the Southern California Mountains Foundation has been leading the organization since October 2015. Stacy has been energized by nature since childhood and believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy the beauty, solitude and joy that connecting to nature provides.

Through her leadership, the nonprofit continues to win large-scale grants since her employment in 2006; and, created collaborative partnerships successfully advancing our environmental conservation, education and responsible recreation initiatives. Stacy previously served as Deputy Director for the Southern California Mountains Foundation from December 2012 until April 2015. Stacy joined the nonprofit in 2006, then named the San Bernardino National Forest Association, as Lead Naturalist at the Big Bear Discovery Center performing student and visitor education program, training volunteers and leading interpretive programs; moving to Discovery Center Director position in 2010 overseeing all operations and staff at the Center. The nonprofit was formed in 1992 and renamed the Southern California Mountains Foundation in concert with its 20th milestone year and celebration. It is comprised of 6 key programs and supported by 1,000 plus volunteers.

Stacy Gorin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Analysis and Design from the University California Irvine. Stacy connects to nature through her hobbies of hiking, biking, snowboarding, and rock climbing.

Juli Goss, originally from Southern California, started her career in 1996 as a Wildland Firefighter with the Forest Service in the San Bernardino National Forest. After three seasons of firefighting, she transitioned to the Forest Restoration Program, where she learned about greenhouse management and ecological restoration. In 2011, Juli joined the Southern California Mountains Foundation as the Restoration Program Manager, and she now serves as the Assistant Executive Director. She has a strong passion for both the public lands she works with and the people she meets along the way. Outside of work, Juli loves spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, fishing, visiting national parks, and enjoying family time.

Karl Hierl was born and raised in Bavaria/Germany. He graduated his high school in science of art, finished a 3-year apprenticeship in the architectural field and soon after received an AA degree in technology. After he experimented with his first computer in 1983 and took his first college course in spreadsheets on an American military base, he realized his passion for numbers and technology. He continued his education in accounting and was certified in the business field in accounting. When he moved to California in 1990, he continued his education in accounting, worked for a few different companies as a general manager and finally started and ran his own business from 2005 until 2013. He joined Southern California Mountains Foundation in early 2013 as an accountant and moved into the controller position in 2015.

Linda Stamer majored in biology from Cal State San Bernardino and worked as a wildlife biologist performing ecological restoration for the San Bernardino National Forest for 16 years. During that time she wrote grants for the Forest Service and developed partnerships in restoration and recreation, assisting in the development of the restoration program for the Southern California Mountains Foundation. She joined the Southern California Mountains Foundation as a restoration project manager in 2014 after spending two years on the Coronado National Forest as a partnership coordinator. She now oversees the restoration and off-highway vehicle teams for the foundation and enjoys hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and skiing with her family during her time off.

A co-founder and a 10 year veteran of the Urban Conservation Corps, Sandy Bonilla has been leading the UCC since 2006. Sandy’s interest in the development of young people started in the late 1980s when she worked under three mayoral administrations in the City & County of San Francisco for youth workforce development and later for the federal government in Washington D.C. In the late 1990s, she helped launch an AmeriCorps program at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and later returned to Southern California to work with at-risk youth in San Bernardino. Sandy’s undergraduate is in Sociology from the CSU and graduates studies in public administration from the City University of New York. She is currently working on an M.B.A. at Azusa Pacific University. Sandy has worked for the Southern California Mountains Foundation since 2007.

Ignacio holds a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the California State University of San Bernardino.

Ignacio has over 20 years of experience working in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Logistics, Transportation, Customer Services, Account Management, Human Resources, and Office Administration in the private and public sectors for large organizations such as Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Mission Foods, Sports Authority, and Home Depot.  Ignacio has extensive knowledge in performance management, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, professional development, and human resource management.  Ignacio is involved in assembling and conducting leadership and professional development-based training. He oversees the Operations Department at the Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire as well as the Support Services programs.

Shane was born and raised in New Zealand.  After High School, he joined the New Zealand Army where he served for more than 10 years. Shane was also a firefighter for a number of years, fighting both structure and vegetation fires. In 2000 he moved from New Zealand to San Diego County. Shane spent nine fire seasons with the Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA), staffing fire towers on the Cleveland National Forest, In the last six of those seasons, he served as the Training Officer and Chairperson of the FFLA, managing the lookout program and training new volunteer lookouts. Shane enjoys the outdoors, he is an archeological site steward for the California State Parks in the Anza Borrego Desert and enjoys hiking and primitive camping.

Angel Mariscal | Urban Conservation Corps Conservation Manager 

Angel’s passion for nature led him to complete his degree in Environmental Studies at  California State University San Bernardino in 2016.  That same year he started with the UCCIE as a Corpsmember, eventually being promoted to a Crew Supervisor, then Restoration Coordinator, and now Conservation Manager. Over the last four years, the UCCIE has encouraged and cultivated his interest in the care and restoration of our local forest.  He thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to provide the same education and encouragement to others at the UCCIE. He currently manages several supervisors and crew leads with years of experience and the dedication to make a difference in our community. Together we are committed to learning, growing, and working hard every day to accomplish the mission of the Urban Conservation Corps

Wayne McIlroy | Urban Conservation Corps Recycling Manager 

Wayne joined SCMF in 2019. He has been a resident of California his entire life. His work experience is in management, customer service, and operations. He has 16yrs in the restaurant industry as a General Managing with Domino’s Pizza Restaurants and 13yrs in Recycling with EarthWize and RePlanet Recycling in beverage containers, as an Area Supervisor. He is also involved in youth sports where he volunteers on the Board of Directors as Vice President for Desert Aquatics in the High Desert area.

Gaby Nunez born and raised in San Bernardino California has spent much of her working life in youth advocacy and has a passion for social justice. She has a degree in sociology from Cal State San Bernardino.

Her resume and work experience include social-economic research with Rand Institute and Chapin Hall/ Chicago University. She has been involved in research projects in various states including Illinois, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and California. 

As a Support Services Manager Currently at UCCIE Gaby enjoys helping others change their perspective on what their future can hold through education, nature, and motivation.  

She currently oversees all education phases of UCCIE including environmental education, life skills, and other active educational programs. Her passion for seeing others succeed and taking care of Mother Nature makes a great match for her current role which she is very passionate about!

Other passions include hiking, managing her vintage shop, and volunteering in her community.

Duvonne Easley | Urban Conservation Corps Fleet, and Warehouse Manager

Duvonne Easley was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He started conservation work at the age of 15 with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) Clean & Green Program. He continued his work in the conservation field by becoming an adult corpsmember and advanced his career where he was promoted to Assistant crew lead and supervisor in a short period of time. During his time at LACC, he was involved in various beautification projects around the greater Los Angeles Area and for his time he was awarded the Russell Kantor Education Scholarship as well as an AmeriCorps award to further his education. He went on to the College of Southern Nevada and transferred to Victor Valley College where he became a certified Automotive Mechanic, licensed Smog Tech, and studied in the Criminal Justice field. After college, he worked as an armed security guard in the Las Vegas area where he responded to alarm responses, and emergency situations when dispatched. He advanced to the rank of Lieutenant and loved to help and resolve issues within his community. While there he realized that he has a profound passion and commitment to helping the challenged youth within urban areas and went back to working in the conservation field with Kern Service And Conservation Corps (KSACC) where he was the lead supervisor. With his time there he became a California State Parks Certified Trails Maintenance Expert.  All of his experiences led up to him accepting a position within the Southern California Mountains Foundation, Urban Conservation Corps where he is currently working for the last 8 years. In his leisure time, he enjoys the outdoors, restoring classic cars, and spending time with family and friends.  

Malcolm Cade | Urban Conservation Corps Indio Site Manager 

Malcolm has lived in California for his whole life. He has only left the state twice. Malcolm started at the Corps as a corpsmember around 2012. He worked on numerous projects however spike is where he started to flourish. He became a supervisor of a lot of the spike crews for the next few years. In 2015 we opened the new Indio shop, that’s when he was given the opportunity to become the Manager of that site. He moved out to Coachella Valley and has been helping build our Indio site for the last few years.

Mike has lived in Southern California his entire life. Much of his free time is spent enjoying the San Bernardino National Forest. Combining this with his work schedule it is safe to say he is in the forest right now. He is known for getting the job done efficiently and safely, all while having fun doing so. His passion for nature has landed him in the position of working with others who love and enjoy the outdoors as much as he does.

Jennifer Prado was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. After admission to the California State Bar in 1997, Jen moved to the Coachella Valley. After 5 years as a Public Defender in Indio, she left the practice of law and worked as a commercial real estate broker and appraiser for several years until she reconnected her career with her lifelong passion for environmental conservation. She spent the past 10 years working with Friends of the Desert Mountains in land conservation and environmental education in the Coachella Valley. In that role, she had the opportunity to work closely with UCC crews on many projects and was consistently awed and inspired by the work of the Corps. Jen is excited to lead our Indio UCC office to the next level and beyond.

Lisa really enjoys working with people in the outdoors, doing the hard work, enjoying the science of habitat restoration, and seeing people from all walks of life enjoying nature together. She worked at various camps in Forest Falls, Barton Flats, and Mammoth Lakes which sparked her love for the mountains and her enthusiasm for sharing outdoor experiences with others.

She has had an array of jobs leading up to Project Coordinator such as Forest Service wildlife tech, backpacking instructor, bat lady, and spelunking guide. She graduated from California State University, San Bernardino, with a BA in Environmental Studies, and attended Humboldt State for a year where she learned to key plants and about humidity. She and her husband love to hike, backpack, drywall and are in search of the perfect paella.

Bonnie Hunt | Grants Compliance Manager

Bonnie is a lifelong resident of Southern California who recently relocated to the Inland Empire. After several years working in accounting for for-profit corporations, she began seeking a position that would be a bit more meaningful and allow her to contribute to a cause she believed in. Working with a non-profit organization focused on helping young people as well as public lands and local communities seemed like a perfect fit, so she happily joined the Southern California Mountains Foundation team in 2019. Bonnie has since embraced the change and challenge of taking on the role of Grants Compliance Manager and hopes to continue to expand her knowledge and grow with the organization.

Melinda Herrera | Restoration Project Coordinator

Melinda Herrera was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has always had a love and passion for nature since she was a child. She was given the chance to work for the Urban Conservation Corps in 2018 and was able to grow out of her shell as well as gain tons of knowledge by gettings hands-on experience with fencing, slashing, seed collecting, and much more and variety of places she’s never been before such as Baldy Mesa, Lytle Creek, Deep Creek, etc. She was fortunate enough to be a part of the first bilingual naturalist class at the UCC and receive a certification. Melinda was later on promoted at the Urban Conservation Corps as crew lead and shortly after supervisor. As Supervisor she was able to share her love and knowledge of the outdoors with newly hired corpsmembers and become a role model as well as someone they could confide in. She is now working with the SCMF monitoring all front country areas and leading conservation crews in many projects to help protect the beautiful national forest in hopes to teach others about the importance of conserving our land. Melinda loves to spend time with friends and family, enjoys walking her dogs, helping others, and watching scary movies.

Andrea Mendoza is from Colton,CA. She studied at Cal State San Bernardino where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. During her studies, she enjoyed volunteering locally at places such as the Humane Society of San Bernardino and Feeding America Riverside|San Bernardino. She also spent some time working for the California Department of Food and Agriculture as a Pest Prevention Assistant. Andrea was able to join her career, love of nature, and devotion to helping the community when she started working with SCMF. She started out as a corpsmember in 2018 and after being given the opportunity to work as a junior admin assistant, she worked her way up to her current position as the HR & Payroll coordinator. She loves the mission of this organization and its positive impact on the local community.

Connie Alvarado was born and raised in Southern California. After years of working in customer service, Connie decided to go back to school and get her degree. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from California State University Monterey Bay. She began with SCMF in 2021 and is excited to be a part of an organization that does so much for its community.

Lizzet is passionate about the outdoors and connecting her community with nature. She attended CSU San Bernardino where she graduated with a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Geography with a concentration in Global Studies and certification in GIS. She has interned with the National Park Service creating story maps and doing community outreach. She has also worked in the private sector as a program assistant doing community outreach for easier access to public transportation. Soon after she decided to return to San Bernardino and help her own community and began working with the Urban Conservation Corps. While at the UCC she helps train our corpsmembers to become educators in their own communities and teach the community how to be more environmentally friendly by recycling and doing guided tours in the mountains. During Lizzet’s free time she likes to visit botanical gardens, bake, travel, and look at sloth memes. 

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Big Bear Discovery Center

40971 Highway 38

Fawnskin, CA 92333

(909) 866-3437

Opened in 1998, the Big Bear Discovery Center is the largest visitor center in the Big Bear Valley. Stop by and be one of the more than 190,000 yearly visitors to enjoy exhibits, weekly programs, eco-tours, and special events like outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programs in the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater.

The goal of this Big Bear visitor center is enjoyable and heightens your awareness to help you become a more knowledgeable and responsible caretaker of the San Bernardino National Forest.

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