Author Archives: Shawn E. Bell

National Forests, National Parks

National Park Week is April 20th – 28th – Free Park Admission Monday-Friday!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

April 20th through the 28th, 2013 is National Park Week!  For National Park Week 2013, get free admission to all National Parks (including your parking fees waived) weekdays from April 22-26.  Check with your local National Park (with 401 national parks, there’s bound to be one near you!) to make sure what the costs are before you jump in the car.  There’s a diclaimer on most sites: “Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.”

National Junior Ranger Day will be held on April 20th, which invites young visitors to “explore, learn and protect” our national parks, and includes being sworn in as a Junior Ranger.

For adults, April 27th is Volunteer Day, where you can help on a variety of national park projects across the nation.

You can find a nearby national park HERE.

To find National Park Week events near you, visit the NPS calendar page HERE.

The National Park Service’s National Park Week website is HERE.

The National Park Foundation (officially recognized charity of America’s National Parks) website is HERE, and their information page on National Park Week is HERE.

Conservation, Offroading - General, State Parks

Rep. Paul Cook Offers Alternative Plan to Twentynine Palms Base Expansion

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

This just in!  Representative Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has issued a statement regarding the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center’s planned expansion in Twentynine Palms, California:

“The training of the U.S. Marine Corps is vital to the safety of the American people, and the exercises taking place on the Twentynine Palms base enable our Marine forces to defend our nation and its allies throughout the world. However, I can’t support the expansion plan offered by the Marine Corps, which would hand them ownership of Johnson Valley. Marine Corps ownership would prevent many public-space activities, including big public off-highway events like King of the Hammers, from taking place. Offroaders and other users of Johnson Valley make huge contributions to the economic well-being of the Morongo Valley, and losing that revenue during slow economic times would be devastating.

“Protecting the Marine Corps’ budget is extremely important to me, and I believe the funds set aside for purchasing this land for the Marine Corps could be put to better use.

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Jeep, National Forests

21st Annual Big Bear Jeep Jamboree May 9 – 11, 2013

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Jeep Jamborees are off-road adventure weekends that bring together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s.

Jeep Jamboree began in 1953 when Mark A. Smith, along with a small group of friends and Rotarians were looking for a way to boost the economy of Georgetown USA. 155 people showed up for the first Jamboree, which followed the Rubicon Trail, snaking it’s way across the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. The next year, the manufacturer of Jeeps – Willys Motors – became involved, and the Jeep Jamboree adventure has continued ever since.

This year marks the 21st year the Big Bear Jeep Jamboree has taken place in Big Bear Lake, California.

This particular Jamboree is a “Select Jamboree”  – it includes Friday and Saturday night family style dinners (participants have the option to prepare their own meals or sample the AWESOME Big Bear restaurants for all other meals).

On Thursday, May 9th (from 5 – 7pm) MANDATORY registration will take place at the Big Bear Lake Elks Lodge (40611 Village Drive in Big Bear Lake, 909-866-6190).  Trail sign-ups will take place during registration on a first come, first served basis, so get there EARLY and register!. Remember that a vehicle check is MANDATORY PRIOR TO trail sign-ups, and there is no late registration available on Friday morning.

For further information, visit the Jeep Jamboree website HERE.

For specific information about the Big Bear Jeep Jamboree, there’s a PDF file HERE, and registration forms are HERE.

Conservation, National Forests, National Parks

CDFW Creates First Bighorn Sheep Herd in 25 Years

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and volunteers from around the state, have established a brand new herd of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.

During the last week in March ten 10 female and four male bighorn sheep were captured from two of the largest existing herds in the Sierra Nevada and released together at Olancha Peak near the southern end of the Sierra Nevada range in Inyo County.  The Convict Creek and Mount Gibbs herds were augmented by adding six females to those small herds.

From the press release:

“This is the first reintroduction effort of a new herd of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep since 1988,” said Tom Stephenson, CDFW bighorn recovery program leader.

Historically, Sierra bighorn were abundant throughout the Sierra Nevada; however, by the 1970s, only two herds remained. Disease spread by domestic sheep and unregulated commercial hunting are believed to have caused their demise.

“Many endangered species remain on the brink of extinction with poor prospects for recovery after they receive federal protection,” said Stephenson. “Through our conservation efforts, we have a unique opportunity to reach recovery goals for an alpine specialist that is native only to California.”

You can read the full press release HERE.

Geocaching, National Forests, National Parks, State Parks

Wilderness Land Navigation Clinic Offered By CDFW

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A two-day land navigation clinic is being offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on May 4th & May 5th.

From the CDFW press release:

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be holding a two-day land navigation clinic as part of its Advanced Hunter Education Program. The overnight workshop will be held at the Camp Whitsett, east of Bakersfield in the Sequoia National Forest, on May 4 and 5.

This two-day clinic is designed to help students learn and practice basic navigation skills using a map, compass and GPS. There will be class work and lab exercises that develop the skills learned. The clinic will cover magnetic declination, the workings of a baseplate compass, map reading, how to stay oriented naturally, and taking bearings. Other topics covered include the use of magnetic bearings, map coordinate systems and GPS. All course materials and equipment will be provided.

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