Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument boundary will increase equitable access to nature for millions in Los Angeles
San Gabriel Mountains, CA
Michael Gordon
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument should be expanded, say key lawmakers
(PASADENA, CALIFORNIA) - Today, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) hosted a joint event in which they publicly called on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act and expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by 109,000 acres of public lands in the Angeles National Forest. The event brought together elected officials, community leaders, local residents, and the San Gabriel Mountains Forever Initiative who share in the 20-year community-driven vision to expand the boundaries of L.A.’s beloved national monument.
The proposed expansion area in Southern California incorporates additional National Forest lands to the west of the existing monument and would increase equitable access to nature, improve public health, conserve a critical drinking water source, protect key habitats, address the climate and biodiversity crisis, and honor the cultural and historical significance of the area. More than 18 million people live within a 90-mile radius of these public lands, which represent 70% of L.A.’s open space.
In response to the campaign launch, Daniel Rossman, California Deputy Director of The Wilderness Society said:
“This area of the San Gabriel Mountains is teeming with rare plants and animals from the big cone conifers atop the rugged peaks to the Arroyo Toad bathing in cool creeks. Beyond its importance to wildlife, this is where our communities find joy in nature. We owe it to future generations to make progress on this 20-year-long community-driven vision to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Completing this vision will benefit millions of Angelenos, imperiled wildlife, and native plants, while conserving a critical source of drinking water.”
Map courtesy of the San Gabriel Mountains Forever coalition
Contacts:
Daniel Rossman, California Deputy Director and Southern California Mountains Landscape Director, drossman@tws.org, 310-415-6238
Keri Gilliland, Communications Manager, Equitable Benefits, keri_gilliland@tws.org, 303-386-2243
Resources:
Rep. Judy Chu donates $1 million dollars for "transit to trails" project
Senator Alex Padilla brings sweeping California conservation legislation to the Senate
