Local Group in Big Bear Valley Raises $10M to Protect Eagles’ Nest from Development
Friends of Big Bear Valley Continues Fight Against Moon Camp Development
Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), a nonprofit dedicated to nature conservation, is mobilizing against a proposed housing and marina development located less than a mile from a popular bald eagle nest. This initiative comes in the wake of the passing of Sandy Steers, the organization’s former executive director, who fought against the project for nearly 25 years.
In a recent social media update, FOBBV reiterated its commitment to opposing the Moon Camp development on Big Bear’s North Shore, emphasizing Steers’ long-standing opposition to the project that threatened the habitat of the area’s famous bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow. Steers passed away on February 11, but FOBBV asserts that it will uphold her mission to protect the land and its wildlife.
The organization highlighted that the Moon Camp project would intrude upon feeding and nesting grounds essential for Jackie and Shadow. "It is also home to a rare and endangered plant species," FOBBV stated. "The destruction of this shoreline will make it more difficult for Jackie and Shadow to raise chicks, and the disturbance may cause them to leave their nesting area altogether."
The bald eagles currently reside in a nest 145 feet high atop a Jeffrey pine tree in Big Bear Valley, which is closely monitored through FOBBV’s live eagle cam. Steers had identified halting the development as a primary objective before her death, and she had initiated a limited purchase agreement with the developer and the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust (SBMLT) to secure the land.
To prevent the development, the SBMLT has an opportunity to acquire Moon Camp for permanent conservatorship but requires $10 million by July 31, 2026. Should the acquisition be successful, nearly 63 acres of land would be permanently conserved and added to the United States Forest Service’s jurisdiction.
In collaboration with SBMLT, FOBBV is spearheading a fundraising campaign to raise awareness and support for the cause. They have launched a website, Save Moon Camp, aimed at collecting donations. "Jackie and Shadow need everyone to be their heroes,” the organization stated, expressing gratitude for community support in honoring Steers’ legacy.
The San Bernardino County approved the Moon Camp development plan last year, which anticipates creating a gated community of 50 homes and marina facilities near Big Bear Lake.
The proposal’s history dates back to 2001, when it was first conceived. Over the years, environmental activists, including FOBBV, have filed multiple lawsuits to protect the bald eagles, San Bernardino flying squirrels, and the rare Ash-gray Indian Paintbrush. The project, which received approval for a 50-lot subdivision in 2020, faced further legal challenges from FOBBV and other groups. While the development was paused in 2022 following a court injunction, it was resubmitted with modifications, reigniting the controversy. In 2025, the project gained approval from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, prompting another lawsuit from FOBBV.
As the fight continues, FOBBV remains dedicated to safeguarding the habitat that is crucial to the region’s wildlife and the cherished bald eagle couple.
