WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 7, 2025) – The Nationwide Audubon Society in the present day celebrated the designation of greater than 624,000 acres of California desert because the Chuckwalla Nationwide Monument, public lands simply south of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park in southeast California.
“We’re grateful that the administration has heeded the decision of hundreds of Californians to guard our fragile deserts,” mentioned Dr. Elizabeth Grey, CEO of the Nationwide Audubon Society. “This historic designation of the Chuckwalla Nationwide Monument not solely ensures the preservation of the realm’s wealthy biodiversity but in addition offers a crucial sanctuary in addressing the local weather disaster and helps the livelihoods of underserved communities. The growth of protected areas underscores our dedication to collaborative habitat conservation, emphasizing partnerships with Indigenous peoples and native communities. We deeply recognize the dedication of the administration and California’s congressional management in conserving these irreplaceable lands.”
Situated on the junction of the Mojave, Sonoran and Colorado Deserts, the Chuckwalla region is dwelling to astonishing biodiversity, together with birds just like the Phainopepla, Western Tanager, Verdin, Cactus Wren and Greater Roadrunner — together with bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, American badgers, desert pupfish, and different imperiled wildlife. Together with very important habitat, the designation protects websites of nationwide historic significance, and landscapes deeply sacred to the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano Nations, and different Indigenous peoples. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler (each D-CA) and Congressman Raúl Ruiz (D-CA-25) additionally introduced legislation last May to determine a Chuckwalla nationwide monument.
“Anybody who’s hiked the slot canyons and hills of this magnificent space is aware of that this can be a place price defending, and we’re immensely gratified that this space has been acknowledged for its vital pure and cultural worth,” mentioned Andrea Jones, interim govt director of Audubon California and senior director of conservation. “At the moment’s designation creates a bulwark towards a warming local weather for at-risk birds and different desert wildlife species, advances wanted out of doors recreation areas for native communities, and preserves valuable cultural assets of Indigenous nations.”
Audubon California championed the drive for the declaration along with members of the Shield California Deserts Coalition, working alongside coalition members and Tribal pursuits for years to drive grassroots and political help. As well as, over 55,000 Audubon supporters took motion for the designation, sending letters and signing petitions. Audubon additionally partnered with the photo voltaic vitality and transmission industries to assist align the nationwide monument declaration with the accountable siting and site of renewable vitality growth.
“Via our on-the-ground outreach efforts over the previous few years, we’ve talked to hundreds of people who find themselves excited to find out about these pure wonders proper of their backyards,” mentioned Rhian Reyes, marketing campaign organizer for Audubon California’s Deserts and Salton Sea Program, who’s slated to talk at in the present day’s designation occasion with President Joe Biden. “We all know that that is an funding in our communities’ future – defending a singular and resilient ecosystem, increasing entry to the outside, and acknowledging its particular previous.”
About Audubon
The Nationwide Audubon Society protects birds and the locations they want, in the present day and tomorrow. Audubon works all through the Americas utilizing science, advocacy, training, and on-the-ground conservation. State packages, nature facilities, chapters, and companions give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches tens of millions of individuals every year to tell, encourage, and unite numerous communities in conservation motion. A nonprofit conservation group since 1905, Audubon believes in a world through which individuals and wildlife thrive. Be taught extra at www.audubon.org and on Fb, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Audubon California is a state workplace of the Nationwide Audubon Society. Be taught extra about Audubon California at ca.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonCA.
Media contacts:
Shineh Rhee, Audubon California, shineh.rhee@audubon.org; 415.644.4605
Robyn Shepherd, Nationwide Audubon Society, robyn.shepherd@audubon.org
