April 22 is Earth Day, but in Big Bear Lake, caring for the environment is something we do all year. The City of Big Bear Lake and Visit Big Bear have made April Earth Month, with events and activities across the valley that bring people together to celebrate and protect our home.

Big Bear Valley sits within the San Bernardino National Forest, surrounded by habitats found nowhere else on Earth. Pebble Plains, Montane Meadows, and old-growth forests support rare plant and animal species that depend on the health of this ecosystem. The lake, the trails, the forests, and the wildlife are all connected, and they all benefit when the community takes care of them.

That responsibility belongs to all of us: residents, businesses, visitors, and the organizations that serve this valley. It’s something Big Bear Disposal, Inc. thinks about every day. Not as a slogan, but as the reality of operating in a place this special. When waste stays out of the landfill, when recyclables actually get recycled, and when hazardous materials are handled correctly, the mountains, water, and wildlife are better for it.

There are some great ways to get involved this month:

Climate and Cocktails on Saturday, April 25 is a chance for the community to come together and clean up trails, shorelines, parks, and neighborhoods. After the cleanup, volunteers get a free drink at a local restaurant. Care for Big Bear organizes this event, and it’s one of the most enjoyable ways to give back.

Green Thumbs Forest Restoration Volunteers also meet on Saturday, April 25 for hands-on conservation work like collecting native seeds, planting trees, maintaining restoration sites, and cleaning up trash. You can find more information about Green Thumbs volunteer events online.

Learn more about all Earth Month events at bigbear.com/events/earth-month.

Coming in May: The BVES Earth Day Expo

Big Bear Disposal, Inc. is excited to once again participate in Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc.’s Annual Earth Day Expo on Friday, May 15, at BVES headquarters on Garstin Drive, in partnership with the City of Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power.

Nearly 20 local organizations will come together for a day of learning, community engagement, and environmental awareness. We’ll share more details as the event gets closer.

You don’t have to wait for an event to make a difference. Simple habits can make a big impact in our mountain community:

• Sort your recyclables and rinse containers before putting them in the blue cart. If you’re unsure what goes where, check our Recycling Guide.
• Use your green waste cart for yard debris instead of sending it out with the trash.
• Take hazardous waste and e-waste to the right drop-off location rather than putting it in a cart. Visit our Hazardous Materials Management page for details.
• If you host visitors or manage rental properties, share Clean Bear Site info so guests know how to dispose of waste responsibly.
• Talk to your kids about why this stuff matters up here. They’re the ones who will be taking care of Big Bear Lake next.

Big Bear Lake isn’t just where we live and work. It’s the reason we do what we do. Earth Day is a good reminder to pause and appreciate that, but the real work happens quietly, every single day, in the choices each of us makes.

Learn More at https://bigbeardisposal.com/sustainability