WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2016. The Obama administration today announced it will permanently protect special areas of the California Desert as Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains National Monuments. The national monument designations preserve the stark beauty of the desert, well-loved recreation areas, Route 66 and other historic sites, as well as important cultural artifacts. Together they conserve and connect habitat to help buffer the desert, its wildlife and communities from a changing climate.
The announcement follows vocal support from the Los Angeles City Council, Mayor Garcetti, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and a host of other community and business leaders.
In response Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune and Joan Taylor, vice chair of the Sierra Club’s California/Nevada Desert Committee issued the following statements.
“The Sierra Club applauds President Obama for reaffirming the incredible natural wonder of California’s deserts by adding Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains to our treasured list of national monuments. My wife and I have taken our children on some of our most memorable camping trips through this beautiful region; it’s heartening to know that it will now be permanently protected well into the future for families to enjoy as well,” said Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director.
“After nearly a decade working to safeguard these special pieces of the California desert, today local communities and desert-lovers from across the state are celebrating! The monuments feature some of the most spectacular scenery, best wildlife habitat, and most outstanding recreation opportunities in the nation. They provide vital connections between areas previously protected, as national parks, preserves, and wilderness areas. National monument status will benefit both the environment and the economy well into the future,” said Joan Taylor, vice chair of the Sierra Club’s California/Nevada Desert Committee.
Source: http://www.sierraclub.org
