New National Monuments to flank JTNP- Thanks, Obama!

Through executive order, President Obama has brought to reality the multi-year dream of Senator Dianne Feinstein and the conservation community in California by proclaiming not one but THREE new National Monuments, all in the greater Mojave Desert ecosystem. Friends Of Joshua Tree, along with a cadre of other key conservation-minded organizations throughout California (like the California Wilderness Coalition) were asked to endorse this legislation during the spring of 2015. We’re excited to see it finally push through, with the POTUS’s help.

The Sand to Snow NM, Castle Mountains NM, and Mojave Trails NM are unique, culturally and recreationally significant areas in the high desert biome of Southern California. With the National Monument designation, they will be protected from high impact human activities while enhancing responsible recreation activities like hiking, biking and climbing.

The maps shown below depict an overview of the region, the Castle Mountains NM area within the Mojave National Preserve, and the Sand To Snow NM area directly adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park.