Meet Sandy & Luna – Students Name Big Bear Eagle Chicks As Nearly $2.5M Raised To Save Their Home

Photo credit: Friends of Big Bear Valley 

Exciting news as the two chicks born this season to the beloved bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow have officially been named Sandy and Luna.

The name “Sandy” honors Sandy Steers, the longtime executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, who sadly passed away in February. For years, she was a central figure in the eagle cam project, helping connect thousands of viewers around the world to Jackie and Shadow’s story.

The names of the chicks were selected through a community effort with more than 63,000 public submissions and ultimately chosen by third-grade students from Big Bear Valley.

But alongside this joyful moment comes an urgent mission.

Friends of Big Bear Valley has hit a major milestone in its effort to protect the eagles’ habitat, raising nearly $2.5 million in just three months for the Save Moon Camp campaign, one of the last undeveloped shorelines on Big Bear Lake, from a proposed luxury development and marina. The campaign is working toward a $10 million goal to permanently preserve this critical ecosystem.

In a statement, the organization shared that the effort has been largely fueled by small donations and community support, with additional phases now focused on securing larger contributions. Even if the full goal isn’t reached by the deadline, partners like the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust are prepared to pursue financing options to protect the land.

Supporters say this is about more than just Jackie and Shadow, it’s about safeguarding an entire ecosystem and the future of critical species who depend on it.

Help protect Jackie and Shadow, their chicks, and the habitat they call home. Donate today at SaveMoonCamp.org.