PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. – On Thursday, May 5, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join U.S. Department of Agriculture San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron, U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, state and local officials and community leaders to celebrate the designation of Sand to Snow National Monument, Mojave Trails National Monument, and Castle Mountains National Monument in Southern California. The celebration, hosted by The Wildlands Conservancy, will be held at the Whitewater Preserve, a gateway to the Sand to Snow National Monument.
In February, President Obama designated the three new monuments in the California Desert, located in San Bernardino and Riverside counties about one hour from the Los Angeles metropolitan area and one hour from the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The monuments are the result of nearly two decades of leadership by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein to craft legislation to protect the special places of the California desert. In October, senior Administration officials visited Palm Springs, California, at the senator’s invitation to hear from the community about its vision for conservation in the area.
The monuments protect approximately 1.8 million acres of spectacular landscapes, fragile wildlife habitat, unique historic resources, and important cultural sites. The three designations connect Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino National Forest, and 15 wilderness areas previously designated by Congress, creating a series of protected lands stretching hundreds of miles.
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, San Bernardino National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Raul Ruiz, U.S. Representative, California
James Ramos, Supervisor, San Bernardino County
David Myers, Executive Director, The Wildlands Conservancy
Jim Conkle, Route 66 Historian
Frank Ruiz, Pastor, Por la Creacion
Michael Madrigal, President, Native American Land Conservancy
Jessie Murrell, Area Student
What:
Celebration of three new national monuments in the California desert
When:
Thursday, May 5, 2016
8:45 a.m. PDT – Media check-in
9:00 a.m. PDT – Celebration followed by a brief media availability
Where:
Whitewater Preserve
9160 Whitewater Canyon Road
Whitewater, CA 92282
Note: Shuttles will be provided from roadside parking along Whitewater Canyon
Road. Please allow at least 30 minutes for parking and shuttle travel.
Media:
Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here.
Source: Department of Interior
