President Joe Biden announced two new national monuments in California, honoring Native American tribes and protecting scenic landscapes from mining and energy exploitation, as he was forced to delay the announcement by the Los Angeles wildfires. The sites, designated as Chuckwalla National Monument and Sattitla Highlands National Monument, are aimed at preserving Southern California’s Joshua Tree National Park area and the California-Oregon border, respectively.
The initial plan was to announce it in California’s Eastern Coachella Valley, but the Los Angeles wildfires and the high winds accompanying them caused the event to be postponed. President Biden admitted that climate change does pose challenges because natural disasters keep getting worse, but he underlined the importance of saving the environment.
During the White House event, Biden highlighted the natural wonders in protected areas such as the Painted Canyon of Mecca Hills and Alligator Rock, where more than 50 rare species reside, including the desert bighorn sheep and the Chuckwalla lizard. The designation of the monuments forbids oil and gas drilling, mining, and other resource extraction activities on some 3,200 square kilometers of land.
Reflecting on a personal experience, Biden reminisced about a childhood memory of taking his children to national monuments throughout the United States. In an attempt to explain the need to preserve the country’s natural heritage, he said, “Our national wonders are the heart and soul of this nation. It’s a birthright we pass on from generation to generation.”
The monument designations align with the Biden administration’s broader goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. They also recognize the long-standing efforts of Native American tribes, such as the Pit River Tribe, who have advocated for the creation of these protected areas.
