“This undisturbed land is on the North Shore and is less than one mile from Jackie and Shadow’s nest,” the group wrote in the post about the housing development. “It is where they perch and forage for food. It is also home to a rare and endangered plant species.”<\/p>\n
![\"Bald](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9b4c77475a0da9dbb39a683e4051c3b7.jpeg\"\/)
Bald Eagles Jackie and Shadow. <\/p>\n
FriendsofBigBearValley.org<\/p>\n
According to a newly released statement<\/a> from FOBBV, the developer has granted the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust (SBMLT) a limited option to buy the property outright after more than 25 years of public opposition to the project.<\/p>\n Experts have long warned that construction would cause “significant detrimental impact” to bald eagles and could ultimately drive the pair from their nesting territory.<\/p>\n Before approving the development last September, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors received more than 5,000 public emails opposing the plan, advocates say.<\/p>\n The fundraising effort, detailed on savemooncamp.org<\/a>, was a top priority for longtime FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers, who died on Feb. 11, 2026. Steers, who also served on SBMLT’s board, helped negotiate the purchase agreement before her passing. “We need everyone to become Jackie and Shadow’s hero,” Steers said in a statement before her death.<\/p>\n FriendsofBigBearValley.org<\/p>\n In an earlier appeal this month, she emphasized the broader ecological stakes. “Every single Bald Eagle is an amazing individual being with the right to thrive,” said Steers. “Big Bear Valley is the seventh most biologically diverse ecosystem in the country; it is essential that we protect and preserve our unique and rare species.”<\/p>\n As of Feb. 23, the campaign had raised $303,026.26 toward its goal. “The challenge ahead is considerable,” FOBBV wrote. “SBMLT has to raise $10 million in less than 6 months.”<\/p>\n If the $10 million is raised by July 31, 2026, the land will be permanently protected and added to the adjacent United States Forest Service property.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n FOBBV, which is managing the campaign, says this is its most ambitious fundraiser in nearly 25 years and is calling on its 2.4 million social media followers to spread the word.<\/p>\n![\"Bald](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/12b759e8678a413764f71f99e748dfc9.jpeg\"\/)
Bald Eagles Jackie and Shadow’s chicks. <\/p>\n