Eagle champion Sandy Steers, a Big Bear conservation leader, has died

Friends of Big Bear Valley announced that Sandy Steers, 73, the group's executive director and a longtime eagle advocate, has died; she helped establish a 24-hour webcam monitoring a local bald eagle nest.

Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, has died at 73, the nonprofit announced. She was a biologist who led local conservation efforts and was widely known for her work with a Big Bear bald eagle nest and its 24-hour webcam. The organization said it will share more information and asked for time to grieve. Key facts: - Friends of Big Bear Valley announced Steers' death and described the news as received with "heavy hearts and great sadness." - Steers was known for eagle advocacy in Big Bear and for helping establish continuous webcam monitoring of a local bald eagle nest that attracted many viewers. - The nonprofit has documented nesting eagles such as Jackie and Shadow and has used cameras and volunteer monitoring to track nest activity. - In September, San Bernardino County supervisors approved a 50-home project called Moon Camp that is located less than a mile from the nest; the nonprofit and officials have offered differing views on its potential effects. Summary: Her advocacy and the nest webcam made the Big Bear eagle pair a sustained public focus and supported ongoing monitoring and education efforts. Undetermined at this time.