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Urge President Biden: Protect Public Lands and Waters!
Sign the Letter
As the Biden administration seeks to conserve public lands and waters and advance environmental justice, the Antiquities Act is an invaluable tool the president can use to establish additional national monuments, thereby conserving public lands and cultural resources, improving outdoor access, honoring the diverse experiences of our nation, and stimulating local and regional economies.
We deeply appreciate President Biden taking action to reverse the rollbacks initiated by the previous administration and restore protections to irreplaceable cultural resources and natural treasures at Bears Ears, Grand-Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments. Now, we look to President Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and to work with communities across the nation to protect more irreplaceable cultural places and public lands and waters, and fulfill the President’s pledge to protect 30 percent of U.S. lands, waters, and ocean by 2030, outlined in the America the Beautiful initiative.
Please sign this letter and urge President Biden to act swiftly and use his authority to protect public lands and ocean health.
Letter Text
President Joseph Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
The Honorable Deb Haaland
Secretary of the Interior
US Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
RE: Use the Antiquities Act to Protect Lands with Significant Cultural and Historical Significance
The establishment of national monuments through the Antiquities Act has proven to be a key tool for protecting landscapes that benefit cultural resources, unique scientific objects, outdoor recreation, and regional economies.
Through The Antiquities Act, presidents have been able to protect hundreds of millions of acres of land that have significant cultural and historical significance. These presidential designated national monuments protect our public lands, air, water, wildlife, culturally and historically significant artifacts and sites. Furthermore, monuments help to support and grow local economies, tourism, and outdoor access.
Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Joshua Tree, Acadia, and Grand Teton National Parks—to name a few of America’s most special places—were all originally protected as national monuments. Each of these significant cultural and recreation landscapes, along with the thriving economies of the nearby gateway communities, would look very different today but for the foresight of multiple presidents who employed the Antiquities Act.
The undersigned deeply appreciate President Biden taking action to reverse the rollbacks initiated by the previous administration and restore protections to irreplaceable cultural resources and natural treasures at Bears Ears, Grand-Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments. Now, we look to President Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and to work with communities across the nation to protect more irreplaceable cultural places and public lands and waters, and fulfill the President’s pledge to protect 30 percent of U.S. lands, waters, and ocean by 2030, outlined in the America the Beautiful initiative. In particular, we urge you to focus on protecting the following properties:
- The Castner Range outside of El Paso, Texas, which provides an essential watershed and has historically been a waypoint for communities seeking rest from the harsh desert environment.
- Friendship Park in Southern California that provides transborder cultural connectivity between San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico where the construction of border barriers threatens local ecology and reduces public use of these lands.
- Avi Kwa Ame is a dramatic landscape in Southern Nevada with some of the most biologically diverse and culturally significant lands in the entire Mojave Desert. The region’s mountains, canyons, natural springs, and bajadas are considered sacred by ten Yuman speaking tribes as well as the Hopi and Chemehuevi Paiute.
The Antiquities Act is an invaluable tool to establish additional national monuments, thereby conserving public lands, waters and cultural resources, improving outdoor access, honoring the diverse experiences of our nation, and stimulating local and regional economies.
The undersigned individuals from across the country urge the Biden administration to protect more public lands and waters as well as important cultural properties.
The undersigned,
Hispanic Access Opens Call for Nominations to Its Board of Directors
For over 10 years, Hispanic Access Foundation has connected Latinos to partners and opportunities, improving lives and creating an equitable society. Now, we are looking for multiple individuals who want to help us build the next chapter of increased impact, growth, and sustainability for Hispanic Access Foundation.
Brenda Ramirez
Brenda Ramirez completed her undergraduate degree at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where she majored in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology and minored in Chemistry. During her time at Cal Poly Pomona, she was able to gain valuable hands-on experience through her lab classes, allowing her to learn many lab techniques as well as field techniques. Some of her greater accomplishments include conducting independent research that she presented at the North American Ornithological Conference, as well as gaining R skills in data analysis. Now as a Master’s student, Brenda is expanding on the skills she learned as an undergrad and learning new skills, including how to create species distribution models in R, that will be instrumental in her pursuit of working in wildlife conservation. In the future, Brenda hopes to pursue a career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve and protect wildlife.
Nina Marti
As Program Manager for the MANO Project, Nina aspires to connect young BIPOC professionals to opportunities in fields where they are underrepresented, giving back to the community she calls family.
Nina grew up just outside of Washington, D.C.—a second-generation immigrant born into a Salvadoran and Cuban home. She graduated from The Catholic University of America with a B.A. in Theater. Nina worked as an artist, educator, and arts administrator for seven years. During that time, she had the pleasure of bringing theater to young audiences on stage and in the classroom. The impact of those experiences on her students inspired her to transition fully to nonprofit work.
Prior to joining Hispanic Access, Nina also worked with the National Park Trust, partnering with public land agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, as well as nonprofit groups, to develop outdoor educational experiences for students in Title I schools across the country.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
“I was very curious about Hispanic Access when I first found out about the organization. I didn't know of any other organizations doing the work that Hispanic Access does to support Latino communities. I reached out to then Deputy Director of Conservation Jennifer Brandt to learn more and was really impressed not only with the mission but the culture of the organization. About a year and a half later a position opened within the MANO Project, and I jumped at the opportunity. Now, here I am!”
In her spare time…
“I've always been inspired by wildlife, and being outdoors is the best medicine for stress. I like to hike and camp when I can, and I volunteer at a local nature center. Rock climbing, yoga, running, and quality time with my dog keeps me healthy and happy. I also have a deep love for theatre and act semi-professionally in local productions.”
Her favorite book…
“My newest favorite is Things in Jars by Jess Kid. My favorite genres are magical realism and gothic horror/mystery/thriller and this book hits all the right notes.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“It’s hard to pick a single person. I'm most inspired by people I talk to every day: family, friends, colleagues. I am surrounded by people who are talented, principled, and work hard. When I am feeling low, I look at how people around me, like me, have their own struggles but are putting a little bit of good into the world every day, and that inspires me.
Land, Climate & Corazon: Pastor Armando Vera
Pastor Armando Vera visits Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas and shares why it is important to protect our nation's public lands and make your voice heard in conservation.
Land, Climate & Corazon: Pastora Linda Sosa
Pastora Linda Sosa visits Denver's Cheesman Park and shares why it is important to protect our nation's public lands and make your voice heard in conservation.
Land, Climate & Corazon: Pastor Gabriel Araya
Pastor Gabriel Araya visits Hemet, California's Simpson Park and shares why it is important to protect our nation's public lands and make your voice heard in conservation.
Land, Climate & Corazon: Pastores Almanzas
Pastores Juan & Rocio Almanza visit Nevada's Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and share why it is important to protect our nation's public lands and make your voice heard in conservation.
Land, Climate & Corazon: Pastor Martin Martinez
Pastor Martin Martinez visits California's San Gabriel Mountains and shares why it is important to protect our nation's public lands and make your voice heard in conservation.