Jackie the bald eagle honored with a California state day — and a permanent memorial in Fawnskin

Big Bear Valley's most famous resident has earned a statewide tribute. The California State Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 140 — introduced by State Senator Tony Strickland — proclaiming Friday, September 4, 2026, as California Wildlife Day in memory of Jackie, the bald eagle who spent her life nesting in the San Bernardino National Forest and drew a global audience through the Friends of Big Bear Valley nest cam^[1]. Jackie passed away in August 2026 at the age of 14^[1].

A bipartisan recognition of a very local icon

The resolution, which passed with bipartisan support, recognizes Jackie's role as what the Senate called "an ambassador for nature," crediting her with bringing attention to wildlife conservation and California's biodiversity^[1]. Senator Strickland noted that Jackie's story "united people locally and internationally, giving viewers a front-row seat to the beauty, strength, and harsh realities of nature through the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream"^[1].

That livestream — operated by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, the conservation group that maintained the nest camera for years — became a remarkable window into eagle life for viewers far beyond the mountain. Eggs hatching, eaglets fledging, storms weathered on the nest: millions of people watched alongside Big Bear residents as Jackie's seasons unfolded in real time.

A permanent place in the park

For the Big Bear community, the tribute is more than a resolution on paper. On Saturday, September 5, residents and visitors gathered at Fawn Park in Fawnskin — 39221 North Shore Drive — for a community memorial starting at 10:00 AM, sharing memories and paying tribute to what many here consider the valley's matriarch^[1].

Park organizers also announced plans for a permanent memorial dedicated to Jackie at Fawn Park, giving future visitors a lasting place to reflect on her legacy^[1]. Details about the memorial's design, timeline, and any public involvement in its creation had not been announced as of this report.

Why it matters for Big Bear Valley

For year-round residents, Jackie's story was never just a nature curiosity — it was a source of local pride and, at times, real heartbreak. The nest cam pulled people into Big Bear's wild landscape in a way no brochure could. That the California Senate recognized this impact with a unanimous vote, and that the valley is marking the moment with both a community gathering and a permanent installation, reflects how deeply one eagle's life intersected with the identity of this mountain community.

California Wildlife Day falls on September 4, 2026 — the day before the Fawnskin memorial gathering. For Big Bear, the two events together mark a week the valley is unlikely to forget.