Over the weekend, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Haaland visits proposed national monument in California
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks with a park ranger at Joshua Tree National Park near the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument. @SecDebHaaland, X ([link removed]) .
Over the weekend, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited ([link removed]) the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California. If designated as a national monument, the 600,000-acre landscape would protect rich biodiversity and connect a historically important travel route for Indigenous peoples.
The proposed national monument is supported by numerous entities, including conservation groups, community members, and local Tribes who have significant cultural and ancestral connections to the area. Elected officials are also in support of the monument—last fall, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Raul Ruiz called on ([link removed]) President Joe Biden to establish the Chuckwalla National Monument.
As part of our Road to 30: Postcards campaign ([link removed]) , the Center for Western Priorities released a short video ([link removed]) showcasing the area's stunning geology, colorful wildflowers, and diverse wildlife. The video features three people among the many who are working hard to protect these vital resources.
Not only would a national monument designation ensure the landscape remains intact for future generations, but it would also contribute greatly to President Biden's nearly-historic conservation record ([link removed]) —with just half a year left in his first term, he is about 100,000 acres away from protecting more public land using the Antiquities Act than any other first-term president since Jimmy Carter.
** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------
Refuge at risk: Arizona's Sky Islands grow more vulnerable to climate change, wildfires, mining
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Nevada’s parks, wildlife projects likely to benefit from $350M in federal land sales
Nevada Independent ([link removed])
Federal law banning import of Russian uranium includes funding to prop up U.S. uranium mining
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Polis signs bill allowing Colorado Parks and Wildlife to study and conserve invertebrates, rare plants
Denver7 ([link removed])
‘Without water, you can’t live here’: Mining claims in Nevada like redeclaration of war for some
Las Vegas Review-Journal ([link removed])
Editorial: The future of conservation on BLM land
Bend Bulletin ([link removed])
Arizona Tribes were left out of water decisions until 1908. Here’s how they negotiate today
Fronteras ([link removed]) Desk ([link removed])
Conservation efforts target monarch butterflies as ESA decision looms
E&E News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------
” If you like margaritas, you gotta love nectar-feeding bats because they pollinate agaves.”
—Tim Snow, retired nongame biologist, Arizona Republic ([link removed])
** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------
@mypubliclands ([link removed])
Positive experiences in nature can improve mental health, increase creativity, decrease anxiety, and lower cortisol levels—all of which help reduce the risks from poor mental and physical health.
Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, offers a positive experience in nature. This Japanese practice emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, after researchers proved that being immersed in nature is good for our mental and physical health. Forest bathing is bathing in the forest atmosphere—connecting with the environment through our sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and state of mind.
Your public lands are here for you. Get outdoors and improve your mental health today!
Learn more at the link in our bio.
📸Path through the forest in western Oregon; Courtesy of BLM Oregon-Washington
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth ([link removed]) #MentalHealthAwareness ([link removed]) #GetOutdoors ([link removed]) #Recreation ([link removed]) #PublicLands ([link removed]) #YourPublicLands ([link removed]) #Nature ([link removed]) #EveryKidOutdoors ([link removed])
============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2024 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
