A major October ceremony commemorating the late Big Bear bald eagle Jackie will feature guest speakers reflecting on her legacy and be followed by live music and educational activities for the public, organizers say.
Read more Judge voids Inglewood’s development agreement with SoFi Stadium
The tourist organization Visit Big Bear, and the environmental nonprofit that runs the livestream eagle cameras that made Jackie and her eagle family famous — Friends of Big Bear Valley — are partnering to honor the eagle’s legacy with a remembrance service known as “Wings Over Big Bear” on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Other local partners include the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the U.S. Forest Service’s San Bernardino National Forest and the city of Big Bear Lake. The free event begins at 10 a.m. at the Bear Mountain Ski Resort, 43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake.
Visit Big Bear spokesperson Dan McKernan said by email Friday that the event will open with a cultural presentation by the Yuhaaviatam and will feature local musicians and singers. Scheduled speakers at the program include representatives from the Friends group, Big Bear Lake city offices, and delegates from the offices of Dawn Rowe, chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, and State Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh of Yucaipa, who represents parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
A screengrab shows Jackie with an Ojai Raptor Center medical team member Aug. 5. The eagle died five days later. (Courtesy of Ojai Raptor Center)
Jackie the bald eagle, who died Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, is seen in an April 2026 photo. (Courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Jackie in 2024. (Courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Jackie “pancaking” as Shadow shares a beaky kiss on Jan. 8, 2026. “Pancaking” is the act of settling into the incubation position and checking the comfort and fit of the nest, usually before or around egg‑laying. (Courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Jackie with three eaglets to feed in the Big Bear nest as the third egg hatched overnight on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
McKernan said local organizations will also have booths, including the Wildlands Conservancy’s Oak Glen Preserve, Environmental Education Collaborative, Big Bear Alpine Zoo and the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust.
The next day, Visit Big Bear is also hosting another event: “Wildlife Education Day.”
“This is a more general focus aimed at getting people outdoors and into nature to learn how wildlife lives and thrives in our community and how humans can help protect them and recreate responsibly to ensure our environment stays as healthy as possible,” McKernan said.
Read more Brian Ortega off UFC 331 card due to injury
Further details about the Wildlife Education Day have yet to be announced.
In mid-July, the world-renowned raptor was found grounded for hours after fighting two younger eagles.
The Ojai Raptor Center, a wildlife rehab facility in Ventura County, cared for Jackie medically for nearly a month until she died on Aug. 10. The center noted that Jackie had been suffering from health issues, such as large blood clots in both wings and a kidney, but the cause of death remains unknown.
Friends of Big Bear Valley Media Manager Jenny Voisard said that Jackie is believed to be the first bald eagle that hatched in Big Bear. Jackie, born in 2012, had two mates (the latest being Shadow) and laid 25 eggs with 10 chicks hatched. She raised seven eaglets to fledge, according to Voisard.
“She was fierce, nurturing, flirty, serious and knowing,” said Voisard. “She is a sacred part of this land as well as human history. She helped Friends of Big Bear Valley inspire a grassroots movement to preserve forested shoreline near her nest.”
On the first Saturday of September, hundreds gathered for a tribute to Jackie at privately owned Fawn Park in Fawnskin, a small community in Big Bear where the eagles’ nest is located.
The memorial event was part of a two-day celebration hosted by the park’s owner, Mike Wayman, who helped establish a shrine covered with photos, drawings and letters to the mama bird. Another recognition event will be held there on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m.
Read more Dodgers reliever Edwin Diaz’s postseason status in doubt after poor rehab results