President Biden expands two California national monuments

President Biden today officially designated additional acreage for the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Berryessa Snow Mountain (Molok Luyuk) National Monument using his authority under the Antiquities Act. These bold actions honor significant cultural and historical sites, safeguard wildlife habitat, address the climate crisis, and improve equitable access to nature in one of the most populous American states.

In response, Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society, issued the following statement:

“We thank President Biden for expanding the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments, a representation of our vision for a future where people and nature flourish together. This dual expansion gets us closer to realizing that vision by advancing 30x30 conservation goals, promoting biodiversity, mitigating climate impacts, and honoring decades of community-led efforts that aim to serve people and nature in unity.”

Located in Southern California, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument now encompasses over 452,000 acres of federal public lands neighboring the densely populated Greater Los Angeles area. Permanent protections under this expanded monument will help honor cultural and historic sites, conserve a critical source of drinking water, address the climate and biodiversity crisis, improve public health, and increase equitable access to nature for more than 18 million people who live within a 90-mile radius of the San Gabriel Mountains. This forest represents 70% of L.A. County's open space, and the new monument boundaries serve as a key access point to nature for many low-income communities of color with high park needs. 

In order to help promote equitable access and support sustainable recreation within the monument, leading philanthropic and private partners, including The Wilderness Society, have pledged to fund the San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative and its members to respond to community priorities, restoration, and stewardship of the national monument expansion.

Located in Northern California, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will add 13,696 acres of public lands, managed by the Department of the Interior, to the monument’s original 330,000 acres. The expansion area – Molok Luyuk – is located on the eastern edge of the existing monument and includes roughly 14,000 acres of public lands. Meaning “Condor Ridge” in Patwin, the addition of Molok Luyuk would further honor the ancestral ties of regional Tribes and create an opportunity for co-stewardship between federal and Tribal agencies. Molok Luyuk serves as a critical wildlife corridor between the monument and other protected areas. It is home to imperiled wildlife including bald and golden eagles, badgers, peregrine falcons, and over 30 species of rare plants.
    
President Obama first designated the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in 2014 and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in 2015. Both campaigns were backed by a groundswell of regional support, including local elected officials, Tribes, businesses, community leaders, advocates, and California residents.

Media Contact

Gaby Diaz

Communications Manager, Landscape Connectivity

gaby_diaz@tws.org / 720-464-1941