Designating New Monuments in California Desert is Smart Conservation Move

WASHINGTON (February 12, 2016) – President Obama today announced he is designating three new national monuments in the California desert – Mojave Trails near the Kelso ghost town, Sand to Snow near Yucca Valley, and Castle Mountains northwest of Needles.

The following is a statement from Helen O’Shea, director of the Western Renewable Energy Project in NRDC’s Land and Wildlife Program:

“Protecting these fragile lands is an absolutely essential element of an overall vision for California’s desert – a vision that includes both conservation and renewable energy development in the right places.

“President Obama, Senator Feinstein and dozens of local leaders truly deserve our thanks for having the foresight to protect these unique places for future generations.”

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