We are thrilled to select the San Juans as our Friday wilderness photo. Why? Because earlier this week Washington's San Juan Islands became one our nation's newest national monuments.
The San Juan Islands, located in Washington state, may not be a tropical paradise, but it is paradise none-the-less with hidden coves, swashbuckling storybook island names (Skull Island and Iceberg Point Rocks) sandy beaches and trails to explore.
Win for wildlands! President Obama designates five new national monuments
Friday, March 22, 2013
The National Park system and our BLM monuments lands just got a little bigger. Americans will soon be able to enjoy five new national monuments in states from New Mexico to Washington.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act (S. 23/H.R. 163) would designate approximately 32,557 acres along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on nearby island coastlines as wilderness, permanently protecting it for all Americans.
Just 45 minutes east of downtown Seattle, the Pratt, Middle Fork and South Fork Snoqualmie Valleys are the closest mountain valleys to Puget Sound population centers.
