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Biden Designates Chuckwalla, Sáttítla Highlands as National Monuments, Protecting 848,000 Acres

Jan 15, 2025, 01:45 AM

President Joe Biden has designated two new national monuments in California during his final week in office, marking a significant milestone in his conservation legacy. The Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California protects over 624,000 acres of desert habitat near Joshua Tree National Park, while the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in Northern California spans 224,000 acres of forests, mountains, and sacred tribal lands, including a dormant volcano. These designations aim to honor Native American tribes, safeguard cultural heritage, and preserve critical ecosystems, with provisions for tribal co-stewardship. Biden emphasized his administration's commitment to conservation, noting that he has protected more land and water than any other U.S. president. The proclamations align with the "America the Beautiful" initiative, which seeks to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The announcement was initially delayed due to wildfires in California.