Active
Protect the California desert
Urge President Biden and Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, to expand Joshua Tree National Park and establish Chuckwalla National Monument through use of the Antiquities Act.
Act NowIn the face of threats of climate change and habitat loss, expanding Joshua Tree National Park and establishing a new Chuckwalla National Monument would protect critical habitat, promote equitable access to nature, and preserve the desert's rich cultural history.
Joshua Tree National Park is a cherished landscape with wide-open vistas, rare rock formations and plants, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. From its towering granite boulders to its namesake trees, this park is one of the world-class destinations at the heart of a connected desert ecosystem that NPCA has worked for decades to protect.
Blog Post
3 Lessons Learned from a Desert Tortoise in Joshua Tree
NPCA has been working to expand Joshua Tree National Park and establish Chuckwalla National Monument to protect desert tortoise habitat. Here’s why an intact desert landscape matters for the tortoise…
See more ›Now, a proposal in Congress would expand Joshua Tree National Park, restoring 17,000 acres that were removed from its boundaries in the 1940s, and creating a new Chuckwalla National Monument that would preserve over 600,000 acres between Joshua Tree National Park and the Colorado River.
The expansion area would protect old-growth woodlands and habitat for migratory birds, threatened desert tortoises, and herds of desert bighorn sheep, as well as burrowing owls, golden eagles and prairie falcons. A Chuckwalla monument designation would give more people the chance to enjoy nature and outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly for underrepresented communities in the Coachella Valley. The Chuckwalla region holds significant cultural importance for several Tribes in the California desert, which actively support its designation.
Our message to the Biden administration and Department of the Interior is clear: This monument is a winner, with broad support in California and beyond, and would provide equitable access to nature, protect Tribal heritage, preserve wildlife habitat and boost local economies.
Active
Protect the California desert
Urge President Biden and Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, to expand Joshua Tree National Park and establish Chuckwalla National Monument through use of the Antiquities Act.
Act Now
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