Protect our most precious places

The proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument, near Phoenix, Arizona, would protect over 300,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert - the most biodiverse desert in North America. At least 13 federally recognized Tribes have cultural, historical, and ancestral ties to the landscape that would be protected by this proposed national monument.

The stretch of river valley and surrounding desert between the cities of Phoenix and Yuma, Arizona, constitutes a fragile habitat for desert-dwelling animals such as bighorn sheep, Sonoran desert tortoise, mule deer, and javelina. The region also serves as a backcountry destination for tourists and nearby residents. Permanently protecting the area will support high-quality backcountry recreational experiences which would bolster the area’s economic vitality due to its dependence on recreation and tourism.

A coalition of local organizations is advocating for the creation of a new 660,000-acre national monument in California's Riverside and Imperial Counties, just south of Joshua Tree National Park. This effort is also proposing to expand Joshua Tree National Park by about 17,000 acres. A critical habitat for vulnerable desert wildlife—including the desert tortoise, bighorn sheep and chuckwalla lizard—as well as an important outdoor recreation hotspot for nearby residents, the national monument would preserve precious land and resources vital to the cultural heritage sites of five Indigenous tribes, support a critical desert ecosystem and provide recreation opportunities for historically underrepresented communities in the area. 

A coalition of conservation organizations, community groups, and businesses are supporting the proposed Dolores Canyons National Monument in Colorado's Montrose and Mesa counties. Through the designation of a national monument and the creation of a more-than 68,000-acre national conservation area in southwestern Colorado, permanent protections will end mining speculation, protect important cultural resources, mitigate the impact of climate change, and help secure ecosystem health and resiliency in Colorado's largest and most biodiverse stretch of unprotected public lands. The Dolores also features world-class boating, hiking, and biking opportunities.

Efforts led by the Pit River Tribe to protect the sacred Sáttítla Medicine Lake Highlands in Northern California would protect not only the cultural history and tribal connections to the region, but a major source of drinking water for Northern California. Currently threatened by geothermal power and fracking, the designation of 200,000 acres is key to protecting the waters relied on by millions and honoring the Pit River Tribe’s hard-fought stewardship efforts.

We thank President Biden and Secretary Haaland for recognizing the importance of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region with the national monument expansion to include Molok Luyuk, as announced on May 2, 2024. Because of cooperative action by outdoor enthusiasts like you, we were able to tell President Biden the importance of protecting this sacred land.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation call this area their traditional homelands, including ecological wonders like the Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge) region within the boundaries of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. This expansion adds 13,696 acres of public lands, with unparalleled views of Mount Shasta, for the enjoyment of everyone.

This monument expansion not only protects important Indigenous cultural sites from destruction, but it also safeguards the vital habitat and wildlife corridor for precious bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and more than 30 species of rare plants and wildflowers—all of which face heightened threats from development, hunting, lead poisoning and DDT contamination that has decimated the California condor population. 

The region provides countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and its designation also brings in additional resources to improve trails and access routes for hiking, mountain biking, off-roading and camping.

Together with cooperative action from outdoor enthusiasts like you, we supported the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, the Gabrieleño (also known as Kizh, Gabrielino, Tongva) Peoples and Nature for All's call to President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to protect their traditional homelands and their ecological wonders. Announced on May 2, 2024, President Biden has expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Mounument by adding over 105,919 acres of mountains and foothills with proximity to culturally diverse neighborhoods in the broader Los Angeles region.

The region’s watershed accounts for roughly 30% of Los Angeles’ water supply, and it has a critical open green space for Angeleños to experience the benefits of time outdoors. Its protection is key for the health of the 18 million residents within a 90-mile radius and the 4.6 million yearly visitors to the area. Its inclusion within the existing monument brings improved trails and access routes—meaning better opportunities for hiking, fishing, biking, camping and more. 

Moreover, this monument expansion not only protects important cultural sites for local Indigenous communities from destruction, but it also safeguards the vital habitat and wildlife corridor for precious California condors, bighorn sheep and other flora and fauna species critical to the resilience of the local ecosystem.