WASHINGTON– Today, President Biden established Chuckwalla National Monument, protecting over 600,000 acres of public lands in the California desert. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) joins the Protect California Deserts coalition and partners in celebrating this historic designation, decades-in-the-making.

Named after the iconic Chuckwalla lizard, this remarkable landscape bridges the gap between Joshua Tree National Park and the Colorado River, protecting critical wildlife habitat, connecting migration corridors and preserving centuries of cultural history.

“Chuckwalla National Monument is a cornerstone in a vast network of protected landscapes across the Southwest. Stretching from Joshua Tree to the Grand Canyon to Bears Ears, this corridor forms the largest swath of protected lands in the continental U.S.,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association. “This designation protects an extraordinary stretch of the California desert, preserving a landscape shaped by millennia for those who find inspiration in the timeless beauty of our national parks.”

Chuckwalla National Monument is part of the Biden administration’s legacy of landscape conservation. By connecting protected lands from Southern California to Utah, the monument becomes a keystone in the largest connected and protected landscape in the lower 48 states, covering nearly 18 million acres.

This corridor connects national parks, monuments, and protected public lands, including Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Mojave National Preserve.

“This 18-million-acre corridor links the Mojave Desert to the Colorado Plateau, providing safe migration routes for wildlife like the iconic desert bighorn sheep and ensuring clean water flows through the Colorado River and its tributaries. It protects sacred sites central to Tribal nations for countless generations, and welcomes millions of visitors each year, inspiring exploration and bringing lasting economic strength to surrounding communities,” said Theresa Pierno. “NPCA has been proud to work locally and nationally for decades to preserve the extraordinary landscapes in the California desert and beyond.”

Chuckwalla is home to the desert’s most iconic and vulnerable species, including the Mojave Desert Tortoise, which relies on roughly 400,000 acres of protected habitat within the boundaries of the new national monument. The designation also ensures connectivity for wildlife migration, supporting desert bighorn sheep, golden eagles, burrowing owls, and more.

Luke Basulto, NPCA’s Ruth Hammett California desert program manager, has dedicated his career to desert conservation, working with local communities to protect the delicate desert landscapes.

“Growing up as a desert kid shaped me into the California desert advocate I am today, and I couldn’t be prouder to see Chuckwalla National Monument become a reality,” said Luke Basulto. “This landmark designation expands one largest desert preserves in the world, teeming with wildlife like the Mojave Desert Tortoise and bighorn sheep and is home to multiple plant species found nowhere else on the planet.”

Beloved destinations like Painted Canyon and the historic Bradshaw Trail will now be permanently protected, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, backcountry exploration, and stargazing. For nearby communities, where extreme heat and pollution pose daily challenges, the monument provides equitable access to the beauty and solace of the California desert.

“For communities in the East Coachella Valley, Chuckwalla offers a place to visit, to connect with the desert landscape, and to find respite. Experiences like this are what build a passion for these special places,” said Luke Basulto. “Protecting this landscape isn’t just about today; it’s about creating a legacy of conservation that future generations can experience and connect with, just as I did.”

The area within Chuckwalla National Monument is sacred to several Tribes, including the Iviatim, Nüwü, Pipa Aha Macav, Kwatsáan, and Maara’yam peoples. These lands hold centuries of cultural and historical significance, preserving sacred sites, traditional practices, and historic trade routes.

While the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument is a monumental victory, the work to protect the California desert continues. Expanding Joshua Tree National Park to restore a key piece that was historically a part of the park area remains a vital next step for a more connected and resilient desert landscape. Congress now has an opportunity to ensure that Joshua Tree National Park is made whole once again.

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Malcolm