Sierra Club Holds Mojave Trails National Monument Event

SAN BERNARDINO >> The San Gorgonio Chapter of the Sierra Club will have their monthly meeting Aug. 2 at the San Bernardino County Museum, located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Mojave Trails National Monument with key officials. Mariana Maguire, from Conservation Lands Foundation, and Frazier Haney, Mojave Desert Land Trust, will present “Meet the New California Desert National Monuments” session. Maguire is the Southern California Associate Director for Conservation for CLF, a national organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and expanding the National Conservation Lands, the USA’s newest collection of protected lands. Frazier is Conservation Director at the Mojave Desert Land Trust, whose mission is to protect the Mojave Desert ecosystem and its scenic and cultural resource values. Mojave Trails National Monument, the largest of the three new national monuments, provides more that 1.6 million acres of vital habitat for sensitive wildlife and unspoiled desert vistas, including 350,000 acres of congressionally designated wilderness. It protects sacred Native American trails and trade routes; the longest undeveloped stretch of historic Route 66; ancient lava flows; trilobite fossil beds; and many unique historic and scientific features. Mojave Trails also represents the largest land gift in American history, with over 200,000 private acres donated to the Bureau of Land Management for conservation in perpetuity. “The California desert is a remarkable area with one of the most diverse landscapes in our state," Maguire said. “This designation comes in response to nearly a decade of collaboration by local leaders, business owners, off-road vehicle groups, veterans, local conservation organizations, faith leaders and members of California’s congressional delegation. Local leaders understand that we can both protect the natural wonders that draw visitors to the California desert and support outdoor recreation and tourism important to our economy.” The public is invited to attend the meeting and parking and admission are free. Donations are accepted for room rental. The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands, CA 92374. For more information visit www.sangorgonio.sierraclub.org or contact Ralph Salisbury at 951-686-4141.