Category Archives: California

Conservation, National Forests, National Parks

Sportsmen-Legislators, Conservation Groups Discuss Federal Forest Policy

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Today, members of the sportsmen’s conservation community gathered with Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) at a Breakfast Briefing, titled, “The Resilient Federal Forests Act: Wildlife Habitat and Forest Diversity,” hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF).

Speakers addressed issues from funding, increasing litigation, and complicated regulations to wildlife habitat management and public access for outdoor recreation on federal lands, many of which are addressed in H.R. 2647.

CSF President Jeff Crane, CSC Co-Chair Congressman Rob Wittman (VA), and CSC Vice-Chair Congressman Gene Green (TX) introduced H.R. 2647 and its importance, not only to sportsmen and women, but to all users of public lands.

CSC Member and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Congressman Rob Bishop (UT) addressed the audience. “[Forest management] needs more money to be effective, but that alone is not going to solve the problem. There has to be some substantial changes. The Resilient Federal Forests Act is the first step forward.”

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National Parks

Aramark subsidiary Yosemite Hospitality, LLC replaces DNC as primary concessionaire for Yosemite National National Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

DNC has been replaced! In a fairly closed bidding process, the National Park Service has selected Aramark for the new 15 year primary concession contract. This contract is the largest single contract offered by the National Park Service.

From the NPS:

Fifteen-Year Contract includes providing overnight accommodations, food and beverage, retail, and other related services to park visitors

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Yosemite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark, to receive the new primary concession contract for providing visitor services in Yosemite National Park. The 15-year contract – the largest single concession contract in the NPS – is expected to begin on March 1, 2016, and will include overnight accommodations, food and beverage operations, retail sales, fuel sales, bike and raft rentals, and a variety of other recreational activities throughout the park.

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Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Chili Cookoff – July 11!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Big Bear Chili Cookoff

Saturday, July 11th
10:00am – 5:00pm

Bartlett Street Parking Lot

  • Outhouse Races
  • Kid’s Area
  • Giant Beer Garden
  • Gunslingers
  • Live Music
  • Miss Clementine
  • 40 Chili Cooks

Chili Tasting Kits: $5.00

This is an official International Chili Society sanctioned event. If you can get here, GET HERE!

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State Parks

Chino Hills State Park to reopen Bane Canyon Road Entrance

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

After a lengthy closure, the Bane Canyon Road entrance to Chino Hills State Park will be reopening today.  Drivers, bicyclists, and hikers will be able to access the park through the entrance starting a 8:00am.

The road is located just south of Sequel Canyon Road off Elinvar Drive, which turns into Sapphire Road.  The address for the gate is 4721 Sapphire Road, although the entrance will continue to be called Bane Canyon Road.

There will be a short opening ceremony with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00am. with festivities including speakers and a first look at the new facilities including the visitor services kiosk and maintenance buildings.

Chino Hills State Park is located in Chino Hills, in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. It is part of the Chino/Puente Hills wildlife corridor, and is a botanical habitat reserve for both resident and migrating wildlife.

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Conservation, National Parks, Outdoors

Yosemite Nature Notes – Big Trees

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park is home to some of the oldest trees in North America, the Giant Sequoia. These trees thrive in the Northern California atmosphere, wrapped in warm temperatures and frequent rainfall. The park is thick with vast forests, and they are one of the many attractions of Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite Nature Notes No. 11 spotlights these massive trees and great forests of Yosemite National park. It’s certainly worth the time to watch.

According to the Yosemite Conservancy, this year’s donors have an opportunity to have an extraordinary impact on these big trees. “Contributions from our donors are helping to fund the project to restore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This is an ambitious, multiyear effort to preserve these majestic trees and reverse 150 years of development by balancing visitor needs with ecological protection.”

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