A Year In: Chuckwalla National Monument’s Anniversary

On January 14th, we celebrated one year of the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument—a huge milestone for conservation, community, and our shared public lands.

Last year, I was honored to be invited to speak at the White House on behalf of Audubon as a community leader and advocate for the monument designation campaign. That moment marked the beginning of a year filled with meaningful experiences in this incredible Southern California desert landscape.

Since then, we’ve gathered again and again to enjoy the birds, beauty, and quiet power of the monument. Before the summer heat arrived, we hosted a powerful Chuckwalla Outdoor Mindfulness event, featuring special guest Tammah Watts, author of Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching. Together, we slowed down, looked up, and connected deeply with the land and its wildlife.

As fall brought cooler temperatures, we welcomed the season with co-hosted hikes in the monument alongside our partners and friends at the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM), celebrating both community and place.

Audubon supported the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument because of the lasting benefits to birds, wildlife, and people—safeguarding critical biodiversity, ensuring equitable access to nature for local communities, and supporting local economies for years to come. In fact, a new study from Headwaters Economics shows that national monument designation is associated with job, income, and population growth!

We’re filled with gratitude and excitement for many more adventures ahead. Here’s to continuing to celebrate, protect, and enjoy our public lands in the new year and beyond.