Three New National Monuments Designated in California
An Environmental Article from All-Creatures.org

From

Center for Biological Diversity
February 2016

These new monuments are habitat for rare wildlife like desert tortoises, Mohave fringe-toed lizards, desert kit foxes and western burrowing owls.

After vigorous advocacy from the Center for Biological Diversity and more than a decade of legislative work by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), President Obama has announced the designation of three new national monuments in the California desert -- Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains -- protecting 1.8 million acres of precious desert lands.

The Mojave Trails National Monument, at 1.4 million acres, helps link Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park, allowing wildlife to migrate in a changing climate.

In permanently protecting these special places, the president follows in the footsteps of nearly every president since 1906, who have used the Antiquities Act to leave a legacy of national monuments more than 140 times. These new monuments are habitat for rare wildlife like desert tortoises, Mohave fringe-toed lizards, desert kit foxes and western burrowing owls.

"California's deserts include some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation and serve as a refuge for some of our most endangered plants and animals," said the Center's Ileene Anderson. "These national monuments will allow future generations of all species to enjoy them. Thank you, President Obama."

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