Over the weekend, the Biden administration approved the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, encompassing 4,543 square miles of central
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Biden administration designates first Indigenous-led marine sanctuary
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Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Morro Bay, within the new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Photo courtesy of National Ocean Protection Coalition ([link removed]) .
Over the weekend, the Biden administration approved ([link removed]) the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary ([link removed]) , encompassing 4,543 square miles of central California coastline. The new marine sanctuary will be the third largest in the U.S., and the first to be led by Indigenous people ([link removed]) . The effort to designate the marine sanctuary was driven by the Northern Chumash Tribe, who will manage the marine sanctuary in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other Indigenous groups in the area.
The designation ([link removed]) results from a 40-year campaign by Tribal and community leaders to protect sacred Chumash sites that date back thousands of years. “It’s where we spiritually believe that all people leave this world into the next life,” said Violet Sage Walker ([link removed]) , chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council. “They take their journey—whatever faith you are, whatever spirituality you have—and that area will be fully and forever protected. For my father, our ancestors, elders who have passed—I think they would be the most excited about that.”
The marine sanctuary ([link removed]) protects an internationally significant ecological transition zone that is home to a diverse ecosystem including many at-risk species, such as snowy plovers, southern sea otters, leatherback sea turtles, black abalone, and blue whales.
To hear from Violet Sage Walker and others about the Chumash proposal, watch CWP’s Road to 30 Postcard film ([link removed]) .
Podcast: How climate, crowds, and colonialism are complicating the concept of wilderness
On the latest episode of The Landscape ([link removed]) , Kate and guest host Sterling are joined by journalist and producer Marissa Ortega-Welch to talk about her new podcast series, How Wild, which was recently released by KALW and distributed by NPR. The podcast explores how the concept of Wilderness is changing due to climate change, technology, crowding, and shifting views on colonialism.
** Quick hits
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Group puts up fence, claims ownership over 1,400 acres of national forest in Colorado
Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed]) | Fox31 ([link removed])
White House announces first California marine sanctuary managed by Indigenous peoples
NPR ([link removed]) | Los ([link removed]) Angeles Times ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | KSBY ([link removed]) | Santa Barbara Independent ([link removed]) | NOAA ([link removed]) [press release]
Deb Haaland and Camille Calimlim Touton: Colorado River is vital to Arizona. Here's how we're protecting it
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Gila River Indian Community solar panel-over-canal project powers up
Cronkite News ([link removed])
‘Legacy’ forests, ‘restoration’ logging. The new jargon of conservation is awash in ambiguity and politics
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
Nevada BLM land sale made for affordable housing project
Las Vegas Sun ([link removed]) | Bureau of Land Management ([link removed]) [press release]
Arizona governor seeks updated environmental review of Pinyon Plain uranium mine near Grand Canyon
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
One of Colorado’s most beautiful places is also one of its least crowded
Denver Post ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” We’re still here, and so are the Indigenous people wherever you live. Being able to address climate change, use traditional ecological knowledge, and participate in co-management is Indigenous peoples’ contribution to saving the planet.”
—Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, NPR ([link removed])
** Picture This
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[link removed]
@usinterior ([link removed])
Happy National Wildlife Refuge Week!
The country’s wildlife refuges are America’s best-kept secret — offering unparalleled opportunities to experience the great outdoors and providing vital habitat for thousands of species of animals and plants.
With at least one @usfws ([link removed]) national wildlife refuge in every state and territory, there’s one nearby you, waiting to be explored.
Photo at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico by Robert Dunn
#nationalwildliferefuge ([link removed]) #usinterior ([link removed]) #newmexico ([link removed])
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