MOUNTAINS GROUP
San Gorgonio Chapter

 

 

FOREST FESTIVAL 2013

Saturday, June 1, 10 am - 3 pm at the Children's Forest Visitors' Center in Running Springs. Parking is available at the nearby Brulte ball-field.

For more information see the calendar.

The Mountains Group needs volunteers to help in our festival booth. Please call Dave Barrie at 909-337-0313 or him, if you are able to help out.


Squirrel Survey Continues

Gray squirrels had all but disappeared from the mountains in the last couple of years due to infections caused by mange (a skin disease).

UC Davis and California Fish and Game are monitoring the squirrel population.

A few more squirrels were observed in October than in April 2012.

The researchers are also trying to determine the cause of the epidemic and how to prevent future outbreaks.

They are also trying to find out how flying squirrels and ground squirrels are doing.

You can help by reporting any squirrel you see, whether healthy, sick or dead. Please visit the San Bernardino Squirrels website for full details.


If you are not on our e-mail list and would like more info on our outings and events or want to become a member of the Sierra Club, send your email address to newsletter editor group chairman or webmaster


WATCH LIST

Set this page as your homepage, or bookmark it, to keep up with critical issues on our Mountains. (You may need to click on your browser's refresh icon to make sure you see the latest news.)


Church of the Woods

UPDATE

COW has submitted a preliminary redesigned and reduced proposal to the County Planning Department. The new plans include fewer ball fields, and the building plans have been reduced by 20,000 sq. ft. There are still some retaining walls along Hwy 18.

The Planning Dept will look over the redesign and meet with COW in the first week of March.

There will be a public hearing on the new plans, unless the Church withdraws the project. If they decide to go forward with it, the Planning Dept will circulate the new plan.

We hope to have more information  after the Planning Department's meeting with COW in early March.


The Serenity Conference

 and Retreat Center

This Crest Park construction site has caused serious stream bed damage on its 1.8 acre parcel.  The developer continues to violate environmental rulings disregarding warnings.

The Lahontan Water Quality Control assessed an administrative civil liability against the developer of the Serenity Center in the amount of $498,000. This amount was reduced to $60,000 at a hearing in Barstow on January 16, 2013. The developer has 30 days to appeal and still needs to restore the creek and meadow to its original condition. However, no timeline was set for him to do this. He may still face additional charges in the future but specifics are  unclear at this time.  

Notice of violation

Developer ordered to restore wetlands

The Mountains Group continues to monitor the developer's actions.  

Check back for updates on the Serenity Center and Church of the Woods.

Squirrel Tracks

 

May - June 2013

Archived issues

Sometimes unforeseen changes happen to planned outings and other events after the Squirrel Tracks has been sent out. Please double check the online Calendar for possible changes to events you are interested in.

Fog and Bad Weather Policy for scheduled meetings and events

 

CALENDAR

 

May - June 2013

New photos

Dogwood Trail

Dogwood Trail

Christmas 2012
at Keller Hut