$5.5M Brockman donation seals $10M campaign to buy Moon Camp shoreline at Big Bear Lake

OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife Anna donated $5.5 million on July 24, 2026 to complete a $10 million campaign by Friends of Big Bear Valley to purchase Moon Camp — a 63-acre stretch of forest and shoreline at Fawnskin, on the north shore of Big Bear Lake.^[1] The acquisition halts a plan to build 50 luxury homes and a marina near the nesting site of bald eagles Jackie and Shadow, two birds whose live nest camera has drawn a global following.^[1]

Friends of Big Bear Valley describes Moon Camp as the only undisturbed shoreline remaining on the lake.^[1] The property supports rare and endemic plants, San Bernardino flying squirrels, and high volumes of birds and waterfowl, functioning as an ecological corridor between the water's edge and the forest behind it, according to the nonprofit.^[1]

A community campaign five months in the making

The fundraiser launched in mid-February 2026 and collected more than 25,000 individual donations — mostly small amounts that together covered nearly half the $10 million goal before the Brockmans' single gift completed it.^[1] "We are beyond grateful for the tireless support of so many people these past six months. This is a special community that has a real love for Jackie and Shadow's well-being along with nature," said Jenny Voisard, FOBBV spokesperson and fundraising lead, in a statement.^[1]

The campaign carried the memory of Sandy Steers, the late executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, who helped negotiate the limited purchase agreement for the property before her death on February 11, 2026.^[1]

The San Bernardino Board of Supervisors had approved the luxury development in September 2025, a decision that Friends of Big Bear Valley says came despite more than 5,000 emails opposing the project.^[1] The developer who received that approval and the Board of Supervisors were not represented in the source material for this report; their perspectives on the community buyout and any alternative plans were not available.

Jackie's health crisis adds urgency

The land deal closed against a backdrop of concern for Jackie herself. She was rushed to the Ojai Raptor Center in mid-July after rescuers found her on the lakeshore, unable to fly following a confrontation with two younger eagles. Vets diagnosed her with severe anemia and kidney inflammation.^[1] As of late July, her packed cell volume had dropped to 13%, indicating her anemia had worsened, and the center said it was pursuing additional advanced diagnostic testing to determine next steps in her treatment.^[1]

Editor's note: This story is sourced from a third-party aggregation; Big Bear News has not independently verified all figures directly with Friends of Big Bear Valley or the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust. Key facts have not yet been confirmed regarding whether the Moon Camp sale has legally closed or who will hold title.

Friends of Big Bear Valley's live nest camera and updates on Jackie's condition can be found through the organization's website and social media channels.