Care for Big Bear

The view of Big Bear Lake from Castle Rock

Care for our community, appreciate our natural environment, respect our neighbors, and enjoy our valley together. By Martha-Page Althaus

Centered around a seven-mile-long lake and ringed by the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear is a natural treasure. To preserve and protect this landscape for future generations, locals and visitors are coming together to Care for Big Bear.

Launched in 2020, the program unites people around the goal of keeping the Valley beautiful by hosting clean-up days, funding the placement of additional dumpsters, and educating guests on how to travel responsibly here. The result? Cleaner trails and shores, more waste management options, and visitors and locals who are eager to be good stewards of the Valley.

Whether we’re hitting the water, the trail, or the ski slopes, we can all do our part to preserve this natural playground. Follow @CareForBigBear for tips and info on upcoming events. Show how you’re doing your part by tagging #CareForBigBear during your next outdoor adventure in our backyard. Together, we can help Big Bear to be sustainable and forever beautiful.

JOIN US

What if every hiker picked up one piece of trash they found on the trail? You, too, can help keep our Valley clean, by looking for the Care for Big Bear logo on receptacles around town, and tossing in your litter. And if the trash bins are full when you check out of your rental, take your trash to a public dumpster or to a Clean Bear site.

KEEP IT CLEAN

CLEAN BEAR SITES (open daily) 41790 Garstin Dr. 39690 Big Bear Blvd.

Shop Smart

Stop by the Big Bear Visitor Center to purchase a C.A.R.E. kit (plus other fun #CareForBigBear merch). All proceeds from the sale of these goods fund community-wide clean-up initiatives!

DUMPSTER LOCATIONS • Juniper Point Picnic Area • Aspen Glen Picnic Area • Woodland Trailhead • Cougar Crest Trailhead • East Public Boat Launch Ramp • Stanfield Cutoff

STUDY UP

The first step to protecting and preserving Big Bear? It all starts with awareness. Turn to p. 6 to learn more about Big Bear’s natural resources.

#BEARS EVERYWHERE

We love our bears! Keep an eye out during your trip, and you’ll see Ursidae everywhere. We’ve highlighted some of our favorites; we invite you to share the bears you find using the hashtag #bearseverywhere.

Ask a Local

Daniel Morello, Big Bear Business Owner

Solving problems takes a village. Luckily, Big Bear is a village of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts who take action to solve problems, and invite visitors to join them. Daniel Morello explains how he and his neighbors are caring for Big Bear.

Q: Why did Big Bear need an initiative like Care for Big Bear? A: I’ve lived here for over 20 years. A few years ago, we started seeing more disrespect to the area. When I saw that trash was becoming an issue, I wanted to correct it. It was impossible to overlook. Some people saw Big Bear like a city park; they expected someone to clean up after them. But that’s not how it works here.

Q: What kind of impact has Care for Big Bear made on the Valley? A: This program encourages everyone to be more respectful and responsible. This is a finite area with finite resources. Now, we’re all able to look down the line and make sure we’re preserving this land. Many people have come out of the woodwork to help. And the great thing is, helping out is as simple as bringing a bag and picking up trash on your next hike. The whole thing is catching on.

Q: Why are you so passionate about the project? A: I deeply appreciate Big Bear. I paddleboard; I dirt bike; I hike all over Big Bear. When you see things mismanaged and disrespected, you can’t help but think, “This isn’t right.” So, you jump into action. Last year after the snow melted, we spent four hours each day for a week just cleaning up. We found 60-pound pieces of dock, broken paddleboards, and old sleds. We owe it to Big Bear to take care of it. I want to share this place and make sure that the land is respected.

BY THE NUMBERS

3,000 lbs.

That’s the average amount of trash picked up in Big Bear every December and January. Do your part to keep Big Bear clean by properly disposing of your plastic sleds and other snow play items at a Clean Bear site.

500 lbs.

That’s the average amount of trash that’s picked up each month during the summer.

CLEAN UP

Clean-ups are planned for National Trails Day and National Public Lands Day. Follow @CareForBigBear for more information.