by Shevawn Bell | Jun 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
June is National Ocean Month, a time when we take stock of the world’s oceans, marine life, and coasts. This year as we celebrate in America, there is a special urgency to our discussion about the state of our oceans, as the Trump Administration and its Departments of the Interior and Commerce are threatening to harm our oceans on several fronts.
After removing protections from two national monuments in Utah, the Administration is currently considering plans to eliminate nearly half of all highly protected areas in America’s oceans – the largest-ever rollback of ocean protections in U.S. history. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has recommended shrinking boundaries and allowing commercial extraction in three marine national monuments: the Pacific Remote Islands, Rose Atoll, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine Monuments, essentially stripping protection from these rich and vulnerable biodiverse areas. You can learn more about these unique and valuable marine national monuments at: http://cbt.lax.mybluehost.me/stagingwebsite/whats-at-stake
Removing protections and allowing industry to fish, drill, and mine within our ocean monument boundaries would cause irreparable damage to these special places. America’s marine monuments contain rich, unique and vital ocean habitats that support marine wildlife and fuel scientific discovery. They are home to rare and at-risk species, from whales, sea turtles, and seabirds to deep-sea corals. Marine monuments restrict or prohibit extractive activities – like mining, drilling, and commercial fishing – to protect these areas and the animals that inhabit them. Like their land-based counterparts, marine monuments remain accessible to the public for purposes such as recreation and scientific research.
Protecting marine areas helps ensure that future generations will benefit from them. Scientists have documented that providing sanctuary for animals to shelter, feed and breed helps them withstand other stresses and recover more rapidly after disturbances. In addition, when a protected area yields an increase in the number or size of a species, there is a “spillover” effect in which benefits accrue to the surrounding ecology, as well as commercial and recreational fisheries outside the protected area. Marine national monuments also serve as living laboratories for scientific exploration and discovery by retaining their integrity and keeping these vibrant, high-functioning ecosystems intact. In recent years, for instance, deep-sea sponges have been recognized as a source for a promising treatment for pancreatic cancer, and scientific explorations to marine national monuments routinely turn up new species.
As Americans, our public lands and waters are part of our identity; they help define who we are as a nation. The widespread diversity of historic, cultural, and natural treasures that have been federally protected has brought diverse stakeholders together in the effort to protect them: sportsmen, cultural heritage organizations, evangelicals, conservation, recreation businesses, historic preservation, and many others.
That’s why we are working to ensure that these historic areas are protected for generations to come. Join us by taking action at: http://cbt.lax.mybluehost.me/stagingwebsite/action.
by jocelyn | May 15, 2018 | Uncategorized
Over the past year, millions of Americans have spoken up to defend our national monuments through public comments, participation in rallies and other events, on social media, and beyond. This May, we are celebrating the many reasons why Americans from sea to shining sea love and cherish our public lands, oceans, and cultural and historic sites.
Join the Monumental May celebration by sharing a photo of yourself from your favorite place protected thanks to the Antiquities Act.
Since President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law in 1906, 16 Presidents – 8 Republicans and 8 Democrats – have used it to protect our shared historical, cultural, and natural heritage. These landmarks, landscapes, and seascapes are our legacy to our children and our children’s children, and a gift that belongs to all Americans. Cherished places such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Acadia were originally protected thanks to the Antiquities Act.
We will compile all of your photos throughout the month of May and deliver the photo petition to key members of Congress on June 8, the anniversary of the signing of the Antiquities Act.
Send in your photo today!
by jocelyn | May 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
Over the past year, millions of Americans have spoken up to defend our national monuments through public comments, participation in rallies and other events, on social media, and beyond. This May, we are celebrating the many reasons why Americans from sea to shining sea love and cherish our public lands, oceans, and cultural and historic sites.
Small businesses in communities surrounding national monuments depend on protected public lands to draw tourism, grow property values, attract and recruit employees, and otherwise sustain and grow. In fact, last fall nearly 600 businesses signed a letter to support keeping existing national monuments and their protections intact. Recent studies have shown conserving national monuments helps to draw new residents, tourists, businesses, and investments to surrounding communities. Below, small business owners share why they stand with our national monuments.
You can join the Monumental May celebration by sharing your own photo and story with members of Congress using our webform.
“Our family is proud to support the on going efforts to preserve and protect the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Protected lands are important to our business because of branding opportunities and the attraction of tourism dollars. They are important to our family for educational and recreational purposes. Mostly, they are important to our son and the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”
Tyrell Thacker and Arianna Parsons
Owners, Beck’s Coffee
“Here in our community, the [Grand Staircase-Escalante National] monument is, completely, what drives the economy. We’re in love with this land and with the people who come to visit it. This National Monument is a national treasure.”
Blake Spalding
Co-Owner, Hell’s Backbone Grill
“National Monuments protect our public lands and honor traditional cultures. Here in New Mexico, the Rio Grande del Norte is also an economic engine that attracts visitors, generates tourism, creates job opportunities and benefits the entire community.”
Stuart Wilde
Owner, Wild Earth Adventures
“Now that Gold Butte has been designated a national monument, as a small business owner in Mesquite, NV, I’m excited for the economic opportunities it will bring to our community.”
Terri Rylander
Owner, Advanced Marketing Collateral
“Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains National Monuments have been bright new stars on the map, offering our visitors new and exciting places to explore in the California Desert. With more opportunities for recreation and exploration in the area our guests have a reason to stay a few extra days, and to plan their return trip sooner.”
Heidi Grunt, Jane Grunt-Smith, Paul Smith, and Aden Grunt
29 Palms Inn & Campbell House
“The economy in southern Oregon is very dependent on tourism. Public lands, like the Cascade-Siskiyou National monument, provide a place for people like me to host our clientele and offer the services that keep a roof over my head.”
Stuart Warren
Owner, Rogue Spey
“We have renovated an historic cabin that’s been in Escalante over a hundred years. The cabin is a direct connection to the Mormon pioneers who settled the region and Garfield County’s new economy.”
Lisa and Bob Hartman
Owners, The Old Bailey Place
“Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument can become a first-class destination for visitors to northern Maine, creating an economic engine for the local community. It’s already had a positive impact.”
Anita Mueller
Co-founder, Moose Prints Gallery and Maine Photography Workshops
“Our business depends on a healthy and vibrant ocean. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Monument protects a remarkable habitat that will result in a greater abundance of fish for ecosystem functioning and for fishermen.”
R. Zack Klyver
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
“Protection of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is important not only to the well-being of our community, but more importantly, to the stewardship of dwindling wild places that are being subject to needless resource development.”
Charlie Neumann
Co-Owner, Willow Canyon Outdoor Company
“Over the past 18 years, we have greeted visitors, answered questions, provided directions to trails and viewpoints, and generally enjoyed the reflected prestige of a national landmark. Clearly [Cascade-Siskiyou National] monument designation has helped put us on the map.”
Diarmuid McGuire
Owner, Green Springs Inn
“The designation of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument has brought new customers, energy, and investment, and is creating hope that the region now has a bright economic future.”
Matthew Polstein
Owner, New England Outdoor Center
“Our business depends on the quiet industry from Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. All national monuments need protections so our grandchildren’s children can make new discoveries.”
Sandy and Ricki Brown
Owners, La Luz Desert Retreat
“While I don’t live next to a National Monument, the knowledge that these wild places, full of ecological and cultural integrity, are protected is essential to my life as a Montanan. Once these untrammeled lands are disturbed, they are forever changed. I’ve worked abroad, in places where sacred land is not respected, seeing these examples makes me appreciate our protected National Monuments even more. These open and public spaces are where I fill my cup of inspiration which means I can continue to pursue my passions and my career… because we sure can’t make anymore.”
Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson Photography
“I have seen a significant increase in tourists stopping in – so much so that I have been able to expand my business, which continues to flourish. I strongly support our [California Desert] National Monuments.”
Carlos Reyes
Art FX
“Twenty three years ago a small group of friends decided to build a guest lodge in Boulder, Utah on the edge of the lands that became Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Our lives have been formed and sustained by the surrounding public lands, and enriched by the wonderful people we’ve introduced to our high desert home. We have grandchildren now, and we want them to be able to have the same experience.”
Scott Berry
Co-owner Boulder Mountain Lodge
“The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is so important to preserving our heritage in New Mexico for future generations. They also provide an economic and social based impact as well. With the purchase of any of our apparel with Organ Mountain Outfitters we donate a week’s worth of lunches to the children in poverty at our local public schools. This economic and social model of business is just one way our National Monuments give back to our communities.”
Chris Lang
Founder, Organ Mountain Outfitters
by jocelyn | Apr 4, 2018 | Uncategorized
Your voice is needed again to defend America’s national monuments!
Last December, President Donald Trump dismantled Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah, eliminating over 2 million acres of public land protections. Despite active litigation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is moving forward with creating land use plans using the diminished monument boundaries and is seeking public comments.
Take action to protect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante!
Moving forward with these land use planning efforts is premature and irresponsible while President Trump’s proclamations are the subject of ongoing legal challenges. However, if the BLM does proceed, it is important to participate in this process, both to register your disapproval of these actions and to voice your opinion on the values that these lands contain and how they should be managed.
Please submit your comment today!
by jocelyn | Jan 23, 2018 | Uncategorized
In early December, President Donald Trump dismantled Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah, eliminating over 2 million acres of public land protections. His proclamations allow for more mining and drilling claims to be made within the original boundaries of these monuments at 9 am EST on February 2nd.
Please act now: Tell your members of Congress to defend America’s national monuments!
Our national monuments and public lands and waters help define who we are as a nation by telling the story of our shared historical, cultural, and natural heritage. But multiple bills currently advancing in Congress would cement President Trump’s severely diminished national monument boundaries in place, weaken future Presidents’ ability to preserve our national heritage using an important law called the Antiquities Act, and take management of public lands out of the hands of the American people.
It’s more important than ever to speak up for what’s best about America. Take action now!
Last summer, millions of Americans joined in urging the Trump Administration to leave our national monuments and their existing protections intact. Now, we must unite again to defend our nation’s heritage against attacks in Congress. Tell your legislators to stand with our Monuments For All today!
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