Dear Mr. President,

The California desert is some of the most pristine and unique land in the country.  From painted mountains to archaeological treasures, world-famous wildflowers to herds of bighorn sheep, Americans have long been drawn to its stark beauty.  That is why I support the designation of the Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails, and Castle Mountains national monuments and urge you to act now to permanently protect these special areas in the California desert—one of the richest and most intact landscapes in North America.

Each of the proposed national monuments contains exceptional characteristics that deserve to be protected. Mojave Trails is the connective tissue linking Mojave National Preserve to Joshua Tree National Park and existing Wilderness Areas, providing vital habitat for sensitive wildlife, and unspoiled desert vistas.  It contains irreplaceable archeological and cultural sites including sacred Native American trails and trade routes; the longest undeveloped stretch of historic Route 66; the scenic lava flows of Amboy Crater—North America’s youngest volcano; the trilobite fossil beds of the Marble Mountains; the perennial river in Afton Canyon; and many unique geologic formations.  Mojave Trails also represents the largest land gift in American history, with over 200,000 private acres donated to the federal government for conservation in perpetuity.

Sand to Snow protects some of the most diverse habitat in the country, linking the San Gorgonio Wilderness to Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino National Forest.  Rising dramatically from the Sonoran Desert floor to Southern California's tallest alpine peak, this monument is one of the most critical wildlife corridors in Southern California.  The inclusions of Black Lava Butte and Flat Top Mesa protect stunning cultural sites and rare species.  Sand to Snow is home to the most botanically diverse mountains in the contiguous U.S., 23-miles of the famed Pacific Crest Trail, and the majestic Whitewater River. 

Castle Mountain protects some of the finest Joshua tree, pinon pine, and juniper forests in the entire California Desert Conservation Area.  It encompasses native desert grassland, features stunning vistas of California and Nevada desert mountain ranges, including Nevada’s Spirit Mountain, which is revered by southwestern Native American tribes and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Beneath the shadow of Hart Peak are rich Native American archaeological sites and the historic gold mining ghost town of Hart.  Additionally, Castle Mountain offers unparalleled opportunities to study wildlife movements, it is home to sensitive bat species, and it is a target location for the reintroduction of pronghorn, the second fastest species of land mammal in the world.

Establishment of these national monuments will enhance recreation and tourism in the region, bringing economic benefits and jobs to surrounding communities.  They will benefit public health by enhancing opportunities for outdoor access and recreation.  They will preserve the vibrant but fragile desert ecosystem.  They will provide peace and respite for our honored veterans, who have sacrificed so much for this land that we love.  They will protect our culture and history from Native Americans to Homesteaders, General Patton’s World War II training sites to western migration along Route 66, America’s storied Mother Road.  

We have an unprecedented opportunity to protect some of the most spectacular and diverse stretches of intact desert in California, and we must not wait.  The local community has worked for over a decade to preserve these iconic landscapes.  It is time for this region to gain the protection it deserves.  I urge you to designate the Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails, and Castle Mountains national monuments.

Sincerely,

David S McAdam
Owner 
Rock Reach House, Yucca Valley, California
Homestead Modern No. 1, Pioneertown, California