The elusive flying squirrel is the target of the San Diego Natural History Museum and the museum is recruiting “citizen scientists” in its search for the elusive squirrel on the Hill.

For several years, SDNHM has worked with residents in the San Bernardino Mountains to capture photos and videos of the nocturnal creature. Now the researchers, led by Brian Gibson of the SDNHM, and in cooperation with Dr. Jennifer Gee of the University of California’s James Reserve, are turning their skills to Idyllwild and the Hill environs.

The flying squirrel native to the Southern California mountains has not been seen in the San Jacinto Mountains for decades. In 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a study to determine whether the squirrel should be designated as endangered or threatened in Southern California.

In April 2015, the U.S. Forest Service also asked local residents if anyone has seen the flying squirrel in either the San Bernardino or San Jacinto mountains, its normal range.

While Forest Service biologists have been studying the squirrel for more than two decades, its presence in the local San Jacinto Mountains has not been reported for about 20 years.

Last year, the FWS issued findings that the San Bernardino population was safe and not endangered and “… no recent evidence of occupation by the squirrel in the San Jacinto Mountains has been documented.”

The SDNHM project hopes to provide some contrary evidence.

Soon, posters will be seen in town inviting potential citizen scientists to contact Gibson at the museum. He plans a community meeting with Gee next month and will distribute cameras that can record the night-time visits of squirrels and other nocturnal creatures.

Flying squirrels are closer in size to chipmunks than larger native gray squirrels.  They are nocturnal and have large flaps of skin that connect their front and hind feet.  These flaps of skin allow them to glide from tree to tree. They do not fly in the same way that birds do — no flapping is involved. Their flat tail is used as a rudder to steer as they glide, according to the Forest Service’s press release.

Apparently, the suet and nuts used to attract the squirrels into the camera perspective can attract other animals. In San Bernardino, other species such as fox and bear were recorded along with numerous squirrel visits.

“Participants can upload their data and be part of the research,” said Gibson. The San Bernardino portion had about 30 citizen scientists, he said.

The squirrels are partial to truffles and seeds, and a thick ground cover or duff, according to Gibson.

In San Bernardino, the Forest Service surveyed and studied flying squirrel habitat in the forest, and the SDNHM worked with residents. Squirrels seemed quite compatible with houses and food availability. But weather seems to affect population. The squirrels appear to be sensitive to drought.

Their choice of living quarters tends to be snags and fallen trees. These cavities provide relatively safe daytime residences. In San Bernardino, several individuals and families seemed to prefer bluebird homes if the entrance holes were about ¼-inch larger than normal.

The Southern California flying squirrel is a member of the western flying squirrel species, which is genetically distinct from the northern and southern populations. Its range extends from Alaska to San Bernardino.

Historically, there was a San Jacinto Mountains population. Gee says that the Berkeley Museum has a specimen that was found in Idyllwild in 1908. None more recent have been documented.

Gibson can be contacted via email at [email protected].

Editor’s note: Four directors for the Pine Cove Water District are on the August mail-in ballot. The terms for three — Board President Robert Hewitt, Joel Palmer and Lou Padula — expire in December. They and challenger Jeffery Kleefisch are on the ballot for four-year terms.

The fourth director, Vicki Jakubac, replaced Tim Lange, who was elected in the August 2015 election and resigned in March 2016. She is unchallenged for the final two years of Lange’s term. 

Ahead of the election on Aug. 29, the Town Crier has interviewed the four PCWD candidates. This is the final interview.

Palmer was appointed to the board in 2007. He was re-elected to new four-year terms in 2009 and 2013.

Palmer moved to Idyllwild full-time in 2001. He and his wife have had a house in Pine Cove since 1985.

The interview with Hewitt was in the July 13 issue of the Town Crier. The interviews with Padula and Kleefisch were in the July 20 edition.

What are your thoughts about the district’s goals for the next 12 months?

Replacing the old piping is a really good goal. Palmer referred to the frequent news stories from Los Angeles and other areas about pipelines breaking and creating water problems.

The increasing population demands more water, too. “We’re really in pretty good shape,” he added.

What are your thoughts about the district’s goals for the next four years?

“To continue doing what we’re doing. It’s working for us.

“The current team is really good at working together. Each of us is different but we’re a team.”

Why do you want to serve another term? What will be your contribution?

“I enjoy being a director and addressing the challenging questions from our customers and public. They keep me involved. I enjoy the people and the work with my board colleagues.

“I’m a cognitive behavior psychologist who has worked at Kaiser Permanente for 28 years. I was an administrator and manager over multiple departments. I managed people, purchased medical equipment and oversaw large budgets.

“I offer this experience — managing a large operation. Pine Cove Water is easier. But people management, capital purchasing and budget construction is the same, regardless of size.”

The state just came out of a historic drought. Do you believe PCWD can withstand another drought? Or what should the district do to mitigate the effects of another drought?

“We are prepared and our customers are prepared. They comply with managing their water better without staying in more drought-restrictive steps. I haven’t heard any negative comment about conserving water. We also offer various incentives to conserve.

“Sufficient water for consumption is critical, but we need water for protection, too. I’m also glad to see the district move some water to the edge of the community as an aid to firefighters in case a fire were moving toward or into Pine Cove.”

Water production, through May, is the greatest since 2007? Are you worried about the conservation ethic dying or leaks in the system?

“I don’t think people are conserving less. We all have to be more responsible. Pine Covers have respect for water. I don’t see needless use.

“We are just now receiving the benefits of the past winter. We had a lot of snow and it takes a while for water to seep down through the ground.

“As we lay larger pipes, we’ll need to keep an eye on the infrastructure.

“I think we should wait and see what happens. The increasing usage might encourage more drilling.”

Without the lease payments from the Rocky Point communication companies, PCWD’s budget would be in a different position. Should rates for water usage be increased and the lease payments set aside for “rainy days” or capital projects?

“With my budget background, the most important appropriation of money is to handle current operations and future operations.

“Rocky Point revenue does give us a cushion, but it is not necessary to increase water rates. I can’t remember the last rate increase. As the Pine Cove population and customer base increases, revenue will increase, too.

“We’re in good shape and a lot of kudos to Jerry and the staff,” he concluded.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Kevin Brennan will make it to his talk, "Living With Bears," scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Idyllwild Library. Brennan suffered an injury while on a backpacking trip but will be able to make it.