This week, President Biden announced the designation of two national monuments in California, Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument. These Colorado and Mojave desert lands are some of our favorite to visit in California, so this comes as amazing news! Read on for more from our friends at Outdoor Alliance…
The two monument designations will permanently conserve these incredible landscapes, safeguard sacred cultural sites, protect critical biodiversity and habitat; and expand outdoor recreation access for current and future generations. These protections also bring the state and the country closer to meeting its goals to protect 30 percent of land and water before 2030 to address climate change. The designation will honor Tribal sovereignty and support the priorities of Tribal Nations who still reside in the area. The two national monuments are part of living landscapes with spiritual significance and interconnected cultural and natural resources that continue to sustain the well-being and survival of Indigenous peoples today.
The Chuckwalla National Monument solifies the Moab to Mojave corridor. Source: NPCA.org
“Outdoor Alliance is thrilled to see the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument. Today’s designations expand protections for some of California’s most popular outdoor landscapes. We are grateful for the work of Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, and Governor Newsom, and are especially grateful to the Biden administration for their commitment to conservation and communities,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance.
The Chuckwalla National Monument will permanently protect 660,000 acres of public lands including open spaces for eastern Coachella Valley families and communities to enjoy such as popular trails and places of interest like Painted Canyon and Box Canyon in the Mecca Hills area, Corn Springs Campground, and the Bradshaw Trail. Chuckwalla National Monument has received widespread support from congressional members, Tribal leaders, and the outdoor recreation community.
The designation of Sáttítla National Monument preserves another 206,000 acres of public lands and waters in Northern California near Mount Shasta in the Medicine Lake Highlands. The Pit River Tribe has been leading this effort for more than three decades and today’s designation ensures the protection of cultural and historical sites, the headwaters for California’s water supply, and outdoor recreation access.
“Today’s designation of Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla National Monument is a win for the California outdoor recreation community. These monuments safeguard sites of sacred, cultural, and historic significance; protect critical biodiversity and habitat; and expand outdoor recreation access for current and future generations to these special places. Outdoor Alliance is grateful to Senator Padilla, Senator Butler, Representative Ruiz, Governor Newsom, and the Biden administration for protecting places that matter to the outdoor recreation community and to California,” said Katie Hawkins, California Program Director for Outdoor Alliance.
Read more at Outdoor Alliance.
