Washington D.C. — Today, President Joe Biden used the Antiquities Act to formally designate the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla national monuments in southwestern California. These designations protect more than 800,000 acres, honoring Tribal lands and safeguarding significant ecological resources. In response, Nicole Gentile, senior director of Conservation at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
These designations honor the culture, history, and conservation efforts of numerous Tribes while safeguarding culturally and environmentally rich landscapes from the threat of large-scale development.
Chuckwalla National Monument protects some of the most connected, diverse, and rare ecosystems in the West. At the same time, the new monument broadens access to nature for people across southwestern California. President Biden committed to protecting nature and prioritizing environmental justice, and these designations help him do just that. With just a few weeks left in his term, designating these monuments helps to solidify his legacy as one of the country’s greatest conservation presidents.
Related resource: “The Designation of Chuckwalla National Monument Would Protect Connected Ecosystems and Close the Nature Gap”
For more information, or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].