In April 2024, President Biden protected over 105,000 acres of public lands by expanding San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Located near Los Angeles, over 18 million people live within a 90-mile radius of these public lands and the expansion will help ensure and increase equitable access to nature and improve public health for local residents. The San Gabriel Mountains make up 70% of the county’s open space where locals and visitors can enjoy hiking, picnicking, fishing, biking, camping, swimming, and more. Permanently protecting these additional acres helps to increase equitable access to nature, improve public health, protect a critical drinking water source for local residents, and provide a natural solution to address climate change and protect biodiversity. The expansion of both San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain contribute to President Biden’s seven national monument designations during his first term as president. These designations are a critical step towards the Biden Administration’s goal of conserving 30% of America’s land and waters by 2030.
TCA grantee, CalWild, worked alongside the coalition of local organizations, tribes, and businesses to advocate for the expansion of San Gabriel National Monument. The Conservation Alliance has funded the state-wide advocacy work of CalWild since 2000.
San Gabriel National Monument expansion is one of many campaigns supported by Mobilizing for Monuments. San Gabriel was the 5th stop on the M4M Road Trip where TCA, Flickr, Rivian and Nuestra Tierra visited the landscape and met with local organizations on the ground working to protect this special place. Read more about the M4M Road Trip here.
