The Honorable John Laird, California Secretary of Natural Resources, will visit Lake Arrowhead next Monday, Aug. 11, addressing environmental issues facing the state and the San Bernardino Mountains.

  Honorable John Laird

The first opportunity to meet with Laird will be at a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for which there is a $25 charge, payable at the door. The secretary will then give a free talk on the environment, followed by a question-and-answer period, from 6 to 7 p.m. Both events will take place at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa.

Laird’s visit has been made possible by Lake Arrowhead resident Brian Conley, who worked with Laird on the staff of Congressman Jerry Waldie. Their careers have crossed paths a number of times.

Laird has served on the Santa Cruz City Council and was mayor of that city from 1983 to 1984 and from 1987 to 1988. He was elected to represent the 27th Assembly District in 2002, being re-elected in 2004 and 2006.

During those three terms, Laird authored 82 bills that were signed into law. They established the landmark Sierra Nevada Conservancy, expanded and clarified state civil rights protections and significantly expanded water conservation.

Laird is widely recognized for his knowledge and leadership on California’s water system and has been dedicated to conserving California’s natural resources for more than 30 years.

The meeting in Lake Arrowhead, said Peter Jorris, executive directors of the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, “gives our community an excellent opportunity to raise the profile and importance of the San Bernardino Mountains in the eyes of our state leadership.”

Laird was appointed California Secretary for Natural Resources by Gov. Jerry Brown on Jan. 5, 2011.

Among the groups sponsoring Laird’s Lake Arrowhead appearance are the Mountain Bears Democratic Club, the San Bernardino Mountains Group Sierra Club, the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust and the Save Our Forest Association.