Gov. Kotek endorses Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument

Gov. Tina Kotek has announced her support for the designation of the Owyhee Canyonlands as a national monument. This endorsement is a significant milestone in the ongoing coalition efforts to protect one of Oregon’s most unique and ecologically rich landscapes.

The Owyhee Canyonlands in southeastern Oregon is a high-desert landscape of colorful canyons and seas of sagebrush surrounding the Owyhee river. Designating this area as a national monument will ensure its preservation for future generations, safeguarding the habitat for wildlife such as the threatened Greater Sage-Grouse, and maintaining the integrity of this vital ecosystem, which is home to 28 plants found nowhere else in the world.

“In the event that Congress does not pass legislation this year, I ask that President Biden designate the Owyhee Canyonlands as a national monument under the Antiquities Act. The Antiquities Act has a long history of being used to protect America’s most cherished landscapes, from the Grand Canyon to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument here in Oregon.” Gov. Kotek said in the letter to Oregon’s U.S. Senators and President Biden. 

We will continue to educate Oregonians about and advocate for the Owyhee Canyonlands’ national monument designation and encourage more communities across the state to continue to join us in this important cause.