Good news for California: President Biden protecting more wild places

As reported in the Washington Post, President Joe Biden plans to expand two national monuments in California this April. These actions would protect thousands of acres of additional land in the Berryessa Snow National Monument and San Gabriel National Monument!

The expanded Berryessa Snow National Monument is expected to include several thousand acres in Lake County. In 2023, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and U.S. Reps. John Garamendi and Mike Thompson introduced a bill that would expand the boundaries of the national monument and rename “Walker Ridge,” the land being put forward for the expansion, to “Condor Ridge” or “Molok Lyuk,” the Patwin name for the region. This area has spectacular views, hosts rare plants that only live in the soil there, and supports species such as tule elk, mountain lions and black bears. This wild space also provides fertile hunting grounds for birds of prey, such as golden eagles and the world’s fastest animal, the peregrine falcon. 

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and U.S. Rep. Judy Chu are leading Congressional efforts to expand the San Gabriel National Monument by about one-third. The bill proposes including an additional 109,167 acres of the Angeles National Forest, which would provide a place for millions of Californians to enjoy nature close to home. 

 The president has the power to designate federal public lands, waters, and cultural and historical sites as national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906. We are eagerly awaiting the official announcement from the president!