President Biden designates two new national monuments

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, President Biden designated two new national monuments in California: The Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California.

Chuckwalla National Monument

• Location: Situated in Southern California, adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park and east of the Coachella Valley.

• Acreage: Encompasses more than 624,000 acres.

• Benefits:

• • Environmental protection: Preserves critical habitats for species such as the desert tortoise and bighorn sheep.
  • Cultural preservation: Honors the spiritual and cultural significance of the land to Native American tribes, including the Cahuilla and Mojave.
  • Recreational opportunities: Provides areas for hiking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.

Sáttítla Highlands National Monument

• Location: Located in the Medicine Lake Highlands of the Cascade Range in Northern California, northeast of Mount Shasta and south of Lava Beds National Monument.

• Acreage: Protects approximately 224,000 acres across Klamath National Forest, Shasta–Trinity National Forest, and Modoc National Forest.

• Benefits:

• • Environmental protection: Safeguards the Medicine Lake Volcano and surrounding highlands, which are vital for clean water sources for downstream communities.
  • Cultural preservation: Protects ancestral homelands and sacred sites of the Pit River Tribe and other Indigenous communities.
  • Recreational opportunities: Offers scenic landscapes and opportunities for outdoor recreation, including segments of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

These designations align with President Biden’s “America the Beautiful” initiative, aiming to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. They reflect a commitment to preserving natural and cultural heritage and honoring the stewardship of Native American tribes.

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