San Bernardino National Forest Association Internship

There are no openings at this time; please check back in early 2009.

Discovery Center Expansion Program
and Capital Campaign

The Big Bear Discovery Center, a visitor center and education facility, is managed by the San Bernardino National Forest Association, a non-profit organization committed to the success of the San Bernardino National Forest in meeting its mission of "protecting the land and serving people."

The goal of the Discovery Center is to involve visitors and area residents in learning about and caring for the forest, and ensuring its health for future generations to enjoy.

The original Big Bear Discovery Center opened its doors in 1998 with exhibit space totaling 5,700 square feet. Over $3.2 million has been acquired to complete the $6.1 million expansion project. In July of 2004 the capital expansion program for the physical addition of the following space was completed:

• Exhibit hall for an interactive learning environment to feature a mountain and lake as the educational focal point
• A learning center classroom
• A family learning center for kids and adults
• An expanded store featuring more books and educational materials
• A 300-seat outdoor amphitheater with projection, sound, restroom and snack bar facilities
• Administrative office space for staff and San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) executive director

Grants have been secured to fund the $.5 million for the educational and interactive exhibit design. In November of 2005, the San Bernardino National Forest Association in conjunction with K-Bren Marketing Associates, a full service marketing agency, launched a marketing campaign to raise over $1.8 million in corporate sponsorships, philanthropic donations and foundation grants to fund the final phase of this project to include fabrication, installation, and maintenance of educational and interactive exhibits.

The completed project will provide families and individuals unique and interactive learning experiences. Visitors will learn and experience:

• "The Mountain" will be the main attraction in the new exhibit area and will be presented as a microcosm of the forest towering over each visitor at a 22' height with an imposing jumble of rocks, soil, trees, native shrubs, flowers and animals, including a giant grizzly bear. The stream on the mountain starts high in the rocks and tumbles over ledges, forms a waterfall and empties into the lake providing an area for the gold miner to pan for gold. The mountains within the national forest were formed by the action of the San Andreas Fault. The first exhibit will explain how the mountains were formed and will provide large touchable examples of rock types such as granite, limestone and quartzite.

• "The Lake" in its creation is a major part of the history of the Big Bear Valley. The lake allows visitors to understand about animals in the water and along the shore. Visitors must cross a bridge over the stream as they move from one section of the exhibit hall to another.

• The Family Discovery Room will offer activities for families to help reinforce what they learned in the main hall. Kids can mine their own limestone, build their own dams on a stream, climb into a hollow log to see who lives there and even climb up into a fire lookout and check for forest fires. They can continue to keep busy by building their own log cabin.

• The Amphitheatre is estimated to hold ongoing events during the months of May through September and will feature music of all types, dance, theatre, lectures, campfire programs, and corporate events and hospitality. It will also be offered as a community resource for local organizations to use to disseminate information and support their causes.

The San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) is in partnership with the US Forest Service and, to-date, has been primarily supported by grants, donations and fund raising efforts. It is a unique national model; there is not another visitor's center with a partnership arrangement with the Forest Service and Park Service. The educational programs and services would not exist if it were not for the San Bernardino National Forest Association. The SBNFA manages five distinct programs to help ensure forest visitors and residents become good stewards of public lands. They are the Big Bear Discovery Center, the National Children's Forest, Fire Lookout Hosts, Off-Highway Vehicle Volunteers and Fire Education Volunteers.

Why partner with the San Bernardino National Forest Association?

• Exposure to 24 million people within a recreational four-hour drive to the San Bernardino National Forest and Big Bear Discovery Center.

• Audience composition is highly educated, adventurous, outdoor activity-oriented with above average household incomes reaching individuals and families.

• Content-rich activities, displays, and interactive learning experiences.

• Authenticity and quality of experience by careful planning and professional staff. In addition, direct association with the Big Bear Discovery Center, San Bernardino National Forest Association, San Bernardino National Forest and the US Forest Service.

• Provide a setting and guidance for visitors, especially kids to have a wonderful, memorable and educational experience as they explore, discover, and learn about their surroundings, themselves and the connections between the two.

The San Bernardino National Forest is the most populated and recreated forestland. It also contains the most endangered plant species in the United States. Education is critical to preserving the wildlands and wildlife for future generations. The SBNFA has the vision, the commitment and the expertise to deliver on their commitment of re-opening an expanded world-class facility in their perseverance of "protecting the land and serving the people."

If you share the same values, and the sponsorship fit or gift-giving parameters are met, please consider one of our 6 levels of partnership. The benefits are rich and unique to each level. For more information on how to become a partner or donor, please contact:

Michael Stevens
K-Bren Marketing Associates
11333 Moorpark Street, #413
Studio City, CA 91602
Tel: 310-890-9182
Fax: 818-276-1547

2007 Consumer Confidence Report