Category Archives: State Parks

State Parks

Volunteer Opportunity at the Chino Hills and Palomar Mountain State Parks

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On March 16th from 9:00m to 1:00pm the California State Parks Foundation will be teaming up with volunteers at Chino Hills State Park, as they continue to make trail improvements. If you’re 14 or older, come on down and volunteer. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Park Champions will be at Palomar Mountain State Park on Saturday, March 23rd from 8:0am to 1:00pm to help the Friends of Palomar Mountain with their annual Trail Improvement Day. Volunteers will help with a variety of project, including brush clearance, invasive plant remove and more! If you’re 16 or older, come on down! There will be FREE CAMPING on Friday and Saturday for pre-registered volunteers. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

To sign up for these events go HERE.

From the press release:

Through our Park Champions program, we hold multiple volunteer workdays at underfunded parks across the state. Our volunteer projects are selected to help with parks’ unmet needs. Volunteering at a Park Champions workday is a fun way to meet other like-minded park supporters and to make tangible improvements to your favorite parks. Continue reading →

Hiking - General, National Forests, State Parks

Hiking the Beautiful USA

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

REI has posted an infographic displaying a US National Scenic Trails Map, Packing Tips and Trivia

Yes, I know that REI is a retailer, and this is (obviously) a bit of free advertising from them that they’re encouraging visitors to share (the “Add this infographic to your website by copying the code below” bit on the REI website was kinda a give away), but getting outside is a GOOD thing!

REI – Recreational Equipment Inc. – was founded by Lloyd and Mary Anderson back in 1938 when they couldn’t find any good quality climbing gear for reasonable prices locally. It all started with an Akadem Pickel ice axe that was imported from Austria. From there, it’s become one of the largest private sporting goods and outdoor gear retailer in the U.S., opening 6 stores a year and boasting sales that exceed 1.8 billion a year.

From the REI website:

Plan a fun and safe hiking trip with a little help from this REI infographic. Our illustrated map gives you a bird’s-eye view of the United States’ 11 National Scenic Trails which measure more than 18,753 miles combined. You’ll also find tips on what to bring and trail trivia. Outfit yourself with hiking gear from REI before you hit the trail.

You can get the full-size infographic HERE.

You can visit REI HERE.

Conservation, State Parks

Really Short Notice: Volunteers Needed for Bighorn Sheep Survey March 9 and 10

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Well, I won’t be counting Bald Eagles today, but it looks like there’s still something to go out and count: sheep!

According to the website HERE, sign-ups are now closed for this year’s count, but there are a few spaces that ‘might be’ available if you contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  From the CDFW press release:

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Society for Conservation of Bighorn Sheep (SCBS) are seeking volunteers to assist biologists on March 9 and 10 (Saturday evening and all day Sunday).

No survey experience is necessary to participate but volunteers must attend an orientation on Saturday, March 9, at 6:00 p.m. at the Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Arcadia. Continue reading →

Conservation, National Forests, State Parks

Mountain Section of Bald Eagle Count for TODAY – CANCELLED!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Just got up this morning, and saw that the mountain areas portion Bald Eagle Count scheduled for today has been cancelled due to snow and road conditions.

The affected areas are:

  • Big Bear Lake
  • Lake Hemet
  • Lake Gregory
  • Lake Arrowhead

The Bald Eagle Count will still take place at Lake Silverwood and Lake Perris.

While I’m somewhat disappointed, I realize that not everyone has a nice, comfy Hemi-powered 4×4 with heated seats, cup warmers and slush mats.  I pity them … even though I only get a whopping 9 MPG in my Man Car.

You can read my original post about the Bald Eagle Count HERE.

You can read the cancellation notice (that only went out yesterday – even though we knew there was a heck of a storm coming in all week) from the Forest Service HERE.

Conservation, National Forests, Off Roading, State Parks

Comments Period Open For Land Management Plans For So. Cal. National Forests

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Forest Service has opened the public comments period for the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Amendment to the Land Management Plans which will affect all four of the Southern California National Forests; Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino.

From the press release:

“The environmental impact statement analyzes the proposal to modify the existing land use zones allocations in selected inventoried roadless areas to include more back country non-motorized and recommended wilderness areas. It also analyzes the proposal to modify the land management plan monitoring framework. The statement evaluates alternatives for both topics, including an alternative that would recommend most of the study area as wilderness.”

The Amendment is part of a Settlement Agreement approved back in January 2011 in the cases: California Resources Agency, et al vs. United States Department of Agriculture; and Center for Biological Diversity, et al vs. United States Department of Agriculture. Continue reading →