Over the last decade, the concept of national monuments has been brought into the country’s spotlight several times, with the most attention likely gained in 2017 when former President Trump was looking to remove protections for some of the larger national monuments created under the Clinton and Obama presidencies. After a quick review - especially when compared to the years of work by countless local supporters and several organizations - attempts by the Trump administration were taken to significantly downsize two national monuments in Utah and drastically change the rules that pertain to the first marine national monument in the Atlantic (legal challenges to the ability of the president to take these actions have been ongoing since the reduction of protections were put forward). Thankfully these national monuments have been restored by the current administration last October when President Biden reinstated protections for millions of acres of important land and ocean habitat within Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

We covered this topic in 2017 when we visited 20 of our country’s newer national monuments. But we wanted to now take a look at some other proposed national monuments: places that have had years of support from local conservation groups and indigenous tribes. Below are three proposed national monuments which are gaining and deserve our attention. If you live near one of these places, or are thinking of planning a trip, we encourage you to learn more about these possible future national monuments. Maybe someday they will eventually gain the status of “national park”, but for now, if you like visiting wildlands that are important for biodiversity, there may never be a better time than now to visit these off-the-beaten-path places.

1. Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. This 450,000 acre area in southern Nevada, just south of Las Vegas, would expand an already vast and important biological and cultural area that includes Joshua Tree Forest, Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument. The expansion of protections within this ecosystem will help connect a complex network of areas that could benefit endangered species working to adapt to climate change. The name “Avi Kwa Ame” means Spirit Mountain by the Fort Mojave Tribe, and national monument designation would protect the surroundings of the already-protected 5,642 ft mountain, ensuring that future generations of the tribe will maintain their place of home and worship. You can support the creation of this national monument by signing the following petition, and learn more at the following link.

2. Birthplace of Rivers National Monument. On the eastern edge of West Virginia lies the “Birthplace of Rivers” - the headwaters for six rivers along the east coast. This 122,000 acre area sits on higher elevation than much of its surroundings and covers enough ground to collect water and allow the Cherry, Cranberry, Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier, and Williams Rivers to begin to form. This wild section of forests, bogs and mountains is a hiker’s dream, and it is part of the Monongahela National Forest which contains 90% of West Virginia’s native trout streams. With four seasons, beautiful diversity and some real backcountry, it is an easy escape to nature from nearby cities including Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Columbus and Charlotte. An economic study performed on the possible national monument showed that if designated, a new Birthplace of Rivers National Monument could increase local economic output by $4.3 million per year and add much-needed local jobs. And by protecting the headwaters of six rivers, this will help ensure that surrounding forests and communities have access to clean water. A map of the proposed national monument can be found here.

3. Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument. Located in southeast Oregon, the wild Owyhee Canyonlands is the largest unprotected expanse of public lands in the continental United States. At over 2 million acres, this ecosystem consists of high desert, canyons, and several creeks and rivers that are crucial to local and migratory wildlife that use the Pacific Flyway. The Oregon Natural Desert Association, or ONDA, is a local organization that has been working for years to collect and share information regarding the importance of this ecosystem, showing the world why this rare landscape is worth protecting. Aside from watching wildlife, visitors have long cherished this area for hiking, rafting, hunting and fishing. You can take action to protect this ecosystem here, and if you are interested in learning more, there is more information about the possible monument available here, as well as the following short film: