About Care For Big Bear
The Care For Big Bear campaign and programming is made possible by the generous support and funding by Visit Big Bear.
Our Mission
Care for Big Bear is an ongoing campaign committed to empowering our community through cooperation of locals and visitors. This is our call to action for all who love Big Bear to preserve, protect and unify our natural playground for future generations to enjoy. Through education, motivation, and awareness, we unite to Care for Big Bear on an endless scale.
Our Story
Our little mountain town has seen an incredible boom in popularity and prosperity thanks to the hard work of local entrepreneurs, second homeowners, dedicated employees, and eager visitors. With this boom comes the side effects of increased traffic, noise, litter, graffiti, and wear on the natural environment.
C - Care for the Community
- Support local businesses
- Dine at local restaurants
- Keep your home or accommodations free of litter
- Support and attend local events
A - Appreciate our Environment
- Pack it in, pack it out - don't leave litter behind
- Stay on designated hiking/biking trails
- Leave natural objects you find
- Admire wildlife form afar
R - Respect Our Neighbors
- Be mindful of using loud music
- Respect parking rules for your neighborhood
- Control your pet's behavior - i.e. barking - and clean up after your pet
- Trespassing is not permitted anywhere in the valley
E - Enjoy Our Valley Together
- Get to know Big Bear's trails
- Find things to do in any season
- Enjoy a variety of dining options
- Find great events
Our Projects
Fostering a Love for Our Environment
Care For Big Bear has launched a new program aimed at connecting our youngest locals and visitors to the natural beauty around them. Parent & Me Nature Yoga is an outdoor exploration class just for kids 5 years and younger with their parent. This 1-hour, guided activity lets kids explore their surroundings while working in some nature inspired yoga movement.
Art in the Wild is a new creative event for parents and kids — ages 7 and up — to connect with each other and our natural surroundings. This instructor lead event is a special time to create memories and art together!
Community Work
Since 2021, Care For Big Bear has partnered with community members to address sustainable tourism needs in the valley. We're proud to work alongside locals, visitors, and organizations on clean-ups along the lake shoreline, city parks, and trails and to highlight important community businesses like the Southern California Mountains Foundation and Big Bear Zoo.
2022 Poppy Award: Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Travel
Care For Big Bear was awarded the 2022 Poppy Award for Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Travel.
Operation Porta-Potties & Dumpsters
Since 2020, CFBB has funded the placement of porta-potties and dumpsters at trailheads and picnic areas. Pitch in by tossing your litter - and any you find - into the designated dumpsters.
A More Beautiful Valley, One Pound at a Time
Each winter, Care For Big Bear partners with local landscapers NativeScapes on a trash cleanup initiative. Between December 2021 and February 2022, NativeScapes collected over 5,000 pounds of garbage from National Forest recreation areas. Most of the garbage is sled debris and small items like paper and food wrappers. While Care For Big Bear's partnership focuses on winter months, NativeScapes continues the cleanup effort in the summer averaging 500 pounds of trash each month.
During the 2023/2024 winter season, NativeScapes made weekly clean-up runs to popular snow play areas like Aspen Glen and around the Senior Citizens Center.
