Hi John,

The Owyhee Canyonlands is Oregon’s last great unprotected natural treasure, and it deserves protection before it’s too late! 73% of Oregonians (and nearly 50,000 petition signers and hundreds of businesses, organizations, and community groups) support an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. With the 118th anniversary of the Antiquities Act coming up on June 8th, now is the perfect time for our Senators to get on board and help us call on President Biden for an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument! Will you send the message to Senators Wyden and Merkely today?

What is the Antiquities Act? Thanks to the Antiquities Act, U.S. Presidents have the ability to designate national monuments for federal lands and waters with scientific, historical, and/or cultural significance. This anniversary reminds us of the importance of national monuments for providing more equitable access to nature and strengthening biodiversity and wildlife habitat amidst a rapidly changing climate, and the Owyhee Canyonlands fits the bill.

Congress also has the opportunity to permanently protect the Owyhee Canyonlands by passing Senator Wyden’s Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act (S 1890), which is also supported by Senator Merkley. Senator Wyden has repeatedly led efforts to protect the Owyhee, but everytime Congress has failed to act. We thank Senators Wyden and Merkley for their leadership, and ask them to join 73% of Oregonians in supporting an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument and ask President Biden to make the designation.

Today, only 5% of the Owyhee Canyonlands are protected and the threats of industrial development and climate change are clawing at its edges. 1.1 million acres would be protected from these threats with an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. The Owyhee Canyonlands represents one of the country’s single greatest opportunities for conservation in the West. Email our Senators today to encourage them to work with the Biden Administration to establish an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument!

President Biden has already used the Antiquities Act 10 times during his tenure to expand, designate, or restore national monuments. And the numbers don’t lie: Oregonians want to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands. Make the Owyhee Canyonlands the next National Monument by asking for the support of our Senators today!

Sincerely,

Eliza Walton

OLCV Public Lands Manager