RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Southern California last week, where she met with federal, state, Tribal and local officials and community members to learn about their vision for conserving the area’s natural and cultural resources and meeting shared clean energy goals through the proposed establishment of Chuckwalla National Monument and expansion of Joshua Tree National Park.  

“Friends of the Desert Mountains thanks Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland for visiting the Chuckwalla National Monument proposal area.  We are grateful that Sec Haaland met with Community and Tribal leaders to hear first-hand about the positive impacts they believe this National Monument will have for their residents. Improving access to outdoor recreation while balancing natural and cultural resource management takes a cohesive approach. Ultimately, protecting these unparalleled desert landscapes and their many cultural crossroads ensures these places are here for current and future generations to enjoy,” said Tammy Martin, Executive Director for Friends of the Desert Mountains.