california national monuments

For nearly 150 years, the United States has led the world in ideas of conservation–from National Parks to Wilderness Areas. In 1906, the Antiquities Act created an avenue for presidents of the United States to proclaim that landscapes of inherent beauty and cultural value are worth protecting and setting aside for the public. It’s a tool that almost every president has used since. Today, Americans enjoy more than 18.6 million acres of land designated as National Monuments.

Right now, we have the opportunity to protect more landscapes in California using the Antiquities Act. Decision makers need to hear from you.

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is a well-known and beloved outdoor recreation space for 13 million people living in close proximity. Its rugged mountains and chaparral forests are home to popular hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, campgrounds and picnic areas. The monument protects nearly 70 percent of the open space in Los Angeles County, and it plays a crucial role in providing water to those who live in the metropolitan area. Within the San Gabriels are some of the tallest mountains in Southern California, which during the winter offers skiing, snowshoeing, and snowplay. Protected land also helps address the effects of climate change, including providing shade in hotter weather and access to the outdoors for nearby communities with fewer options for protected green space.

California lawmakers, as well as the greater outdoor recreation community, have called on the President to expand the monument. The additional 109,000 acres would permanently protect the landscape and provide more outdoor recreation opportunities to those living in Southern California. Expanding the monument would also support the administration’s 30x30 conservation goals.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

In addition to the proposed San Gabriels expansion, there is an ongoing effort to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk. Molok Luyuk means “Condor Ridge'' in the Patwin language. The additional 13,700 acres would protect lands that are sacred to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, improve land management, conserve incredible biodiversity and habitat, build climate resiliency and expand access to recreation in the area, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and camping. The inclusion of Molok Luyuk as part of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument has received widespread support from congressional members, Tribal leaders, and the outdoor recreation community.

Chuckwalla National Monument

A broad coalition of stakeholders have also come together in support of a new national monument, adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park. The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument would protect 660,000 acres of public land. The area is rich in biodiversity and provides a wide-range of outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, camping, and rock climbing. A monument designation would also honor a cultural landscape, by preserving sacred sites and trail systems established by the Iviatim, Nüwü, Pipa Aha Macav, Kwatsáan, and Maara’yam Tribes.

These areas deserve to be permanently protected, contributing to our country's larger goals to fight climate change through natural climate solutions, providing more sustainable and equitable access to the outdoors and contributing to a thriving outdoor recreation economy.