Court Allows Organizations to Intervene In Lawsuit to Defend Chuckwalla National Monument

Conservation Lands Foundation • March 5, 2026

Conservation, education, veteran, and recreation groups fight to protect critical Southern California public lands in Chuckwalla National Monument 

Indio, CA – On Tuesday, a District Court judge approved nine organizations’ request to intervene in a lawsuit to defend California’s Chuckwalla National Monument. These groups range from Coachella Valley-based, to state-wide and national groups, and all have interests and expertise in the monument’s designation and protection. Tribal Nations including the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and three other Tribal Nations have also joined as parties to the case. 


The lawsuit seeks to undo the designation of the monument, established in January 2025. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by an Idaho-based motorized recreation special interest group, Blue Ribbon Coalition, and an individual miner from Michigan, against the U.S. Department of Interior. These plaintiffs are represented by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Mountain States Legal Foundation. The monument is located on desert lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in California’s Riverside and Imperial Counties.


The organizations intervening spent years carefully vetting boundaries and collaborating with a broad coalition to identify and document Chuckwalla’s unique tribal resources and values worthy of monument-level protections. The monument benefits local economies, protects lands significant to 13 Tribal Nations, ensures equitable access and outdoor recreation (including camping, picnicking, driving off-highway vehicles, hunting and more) and safeguards numerous historical, scientific, and ecological values. The monument designation was called for and celebrated by local Tribes, local and state governments, state and federal elected officials, veterans, 300+ businesses, business groups and Chambers of Commerce, 370+ scientists and residents of surrounding communities.


Democrats and Republicans have used the Antiquities Act to designate monuments for more than 100 years. The Supreme Court, a century ago and other courts in the decades since, have consistently upheld the president’s authority to determine whether and how much area to protect. Lands protected as National Monuments have included important stretches of public lands in California like Joshua Tree and Death Valley, which were designated as National Monuments in the 1930s by presidential proclamation.


The intervening organizations include CactusToCloud Institute, California Native Plant Society, CalWild, Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Lands Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Vet Voice Foundation, and The Wilderness Society. They are represented by Earthjustice and the Law Offices of Joseph Lavigne.


CLIENT QUOTES


“People of all political affiliations love America’s national monuments and the public access they provide. Chuckwalla National Monument protects some of southern California’s most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes as part of the National Conservation Lands system,” said Charlotte Overby, Vice President of Field Conservation Programs for the Conservation Lands Foundation. “Chuckwalla National Monument earned widespread support during its designation process through years of Tribal leadership, bipartisan collaboration, and advocacy from local communities, local businesses and elected officials. Any attempts to dismantle Chuckwalla’s monument designation would undermine public access, Indigenous cultural connections, vital wildlife habitats and local economies. We remain committed to defending this treasured landscape."


“Chuckwalla National Monument is more than just land to me—it's a part of my personal story,” said Colin Barrows, CoFounder of CactusToCloud Institute. “I grew up exploring the winding Painted Canyon on foot, and continue to find new adventures driving along the network of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails on the Chuckwalla Bench. It has become a sanctuary where I have found solitude, shared special moments with my wife, and introduced countless others to the unique beauty of our desert. This monument is a living classroom for geology, rare plants, and climate change, and a vital, sustainable economic driver for the Coachella Valley. Its designation ensures that everyone, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can experience the exceptional beauty and rich culture of our desert.”


“Chuckwalla National Monument protects species and habitats that sustain our desert ecosystems, including nearly 60 rare plant species, microphyll woodlands that support migratory birds, and California's only native palm,” said Dr. Jun Bando, executive director of the California Native Plant Society. “The monument’s creation honors the values and beliefs of the region's people–the California Native American Tribes and local communities whose lives are directly connected to this land. It is a sacred landscape vital to ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and recreational access. Special interests from outside the state must not be allowed to override the history and needs of those who are sustained by the land and are stewarding it for future generations.” 


“Chuckwalla National Monument is the result of years of collaboration among Tribal nations, diverse communities, and elected leaders—using a century-old presidential tool to protect America’s most cherished landscapes. Its wide, sandy washes and unfragmented desert valleys form critical wildlife corridors for species like the desert tortoise and bighorn sheep to move, adapt, and survive. These same lands offer Californians a treasured chance to connect with nature, observe wildlife, and experience the quiet beauty of the California desert. Any attempt to undo these protections would be a betrayal of the public trust and bipartisan voices that made the monument possible.” – Mark Green, Executive Director, CalWild


"Chuckwalla National Monument is a critical lifeline for some of the Mojave Desert's most at-risk creatures, and we have to protect it from reckless attacks," said Lisa Belenky, Senior Counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's home to the genetically unique southernmost population of the Mojave Desert tortoise and more than a dozen bat species. It's also been identified as the best site to reintroduce the beleaguered Sonoran Desert pronghorn. We worked hard in support of this monument’s designation, and we'll fight like hell to ensure it remains protected.”


“Chuckwalla National Monument is beloved, broadly supported across the political spectrum, and fundamental to our shared history,” said Chance Wilcox, California Desert program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). “I’ve seen firsthand how important these protected landscapes are for our communities, our health, and our local economies. For decades, Chuckwalla has been recognized and planned for conservation efforts in the greater Joshua Tree region, and it’s easy to see why. We must defend it fiercely, ensuring that future generations can connect with and cherish this extraordinary landscape.” 


“Sierra Club’s mission is to preserve outdoor access for all. For years, our local San Gorgonio Chapter and our members have advocated for Chuckwalla to be designated as a National Monument, and we are proud to continue to protect this sacred and special place,” said Joan Taylor, Chair of the Sierra Club’s California/Nevada Desert Committee. “Chuckwalla contains critical wildlife habitats, Indigenous cultural significance, access to nature, and numerous historical sites that should be preserved for generations to come.” 


“California veterans spent years advocating for the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument not just because of its breathtaking landscapes, but because it tells the story of our service. From the World War II training grounds scattered across the desert to its proximity to active duty bases, Chuckwalla is a place where military families can reconnect with each other, with the land, and with their sense of purpose. Veterans have a long history of protecting America’s public lands, going all the way back to Teddy Roosevelt, who was both a soldier and an outdoorsman. This monument continues that legacy of service, stewardship, and healing.”
— Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation


“The lands within Chuckwalla National Monument are the ancestral homelands of several Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, and they safeguard a wealth of sacred and cultural sites and rare and culturally important plants and wildlife,” said Helen O’Shea, California state director for The Wilderness Society. “These lands are part of our shared American heritage and must be protected so future generations can experience the freedom they provide. We will keep standing up for Chuckwalla and defend the monument against special interests seeking to take it away.”


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Header Photo: Chuckwalla National Monument, CA by Bob Wick

More on Chuckwalla National Monument:

Organizations Seek to Intervene in Lawsuit to Protect Chuckwalla National Monument

By Conservation Lands Foundation • August 11, 2025
Palm Desert, CA — Today, the Conservation Lands Foundation joined eight other organizations — ranging from Coachella Valley-based, to state-wide and national groups — to file motions to intervene in a lawsuit to defend the Chuckwalla National Monument , following the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and three other Tribal Nations.  The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by an Idaho-based motorized recreation special interest group, Blue Ribbon Coalition, and an individual miner from Michigan, against the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI). These plaintiffs, represented by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Mountain States Legal Foundation, seek to undo the designation of the monument, established in January 2025. The monument is located on desert lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in California’s Riverside and Imperial Counties. The organizations filing for intervention spent years carefully vetting boundaries and collaborating with Tribes, veterans, business owners, local elected officials, recreation and conservation groups, and community members to identify and document Chuckwalla’s unique tribal resources and values worthy of monument-level protections. These organizations each have interests and expertise in the monument’s designation, and intervention by interested parties is critical. Even if the U.S. government vigorously defends the monument, it does not have the same interests as local Tribes or this intervening coalition. “Chuckwalla National Monument is more than just land to me — it’s a part of my personal story,” said Colin Barrows, CoFounder of CactusToCloud Institute . “I grew up exploring the winding Painted Canyon on foot, and continue to find new adventures driving along the network of off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails on the Chuckwalla Bench. It has become a sanctuary where I have found solitude, shared special moments with my wife, and introduced countless others to the unique beauty of our desert. This Monument is a living classroom for geology, rare plants, and climate change, and a vital, sustainable economic driver for the Coachella Valley. Its designation ensures that everyone, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can experience the exceptional beauty and rich culture of our desert.” Chuckwalla National Monument benefits local economies, protects lands significant to 13 Tribal Nations, ensures equitable access and outdoor recreation (including camping, picnicking, driving off-highway vehicles, hunting and more) and safeguards numerous historical, scientific, and ecological values. The monument designation was called for and celebrated by local Tribes, local and state governments, state and federal elected officials, veterans, 300+ businesses, business groups and Chambers of Commerce, 370+ scientists and residents of surrounding communities. “California veterans spent years advocating for the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument not just because of its breathtaking landscapes, but because it tells the story of our service. From the World War II training grounds scattered across the desert to its proximity to active duty bases, Chuckwalla is a place where military families can reconnect with each other, with the land, and with their sense of purpose,” said Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation . “Veterans have a long history of protecting America’s public lands, going all the way back to Teddy Roosevelt, who was both a soldier and an outdoorsman. This monument continues that legacy of service.” “People of all political affiliations love America’s national monuments and the public access they provide. Chuckwalla National Monument protects some of southern California’s most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes as part of the National Conservation Lands system,” said Elyane Stefanick, California program director for the Conservation Lands Foundation . “Chuckwalla National Monument earned widespread support during its designation process through years of Tribal leadership, bipartisan collaboration, and advocacy from local communities, local businesses and elected officials. Any attempts to dismantle Chuckwalla’s monument designation would undermine public access, Indigenous cultural connections, vital wildlife habitats and local economies. We remain committed to defending this treasured landscape." Democrats and Republicans have used the Antiquities Act to designate monuments for more than 100 years. The Supreme Court, a century ago and other courts in the decades since, have consistently upheld the president’s authority to determine whether and how much area to protect. Lands protected as National Monuments have included important stretches of public lands in California like Joshua Tree and Death Valley, which were designated as National Monuments in the 1930s by presidential proclamation. The applicants filing this motion to intervene include CactusToCloud Institute, California Native Plant Society, CalWild, Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Lands Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Vet Voice Foundation, and The Wilderness Society. They are represented by Earthjustice and the Law Offices of Joseph Lavigne. See all client quotes ###

Trump Administration Begins Privatization of Public Lands with Elimination of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments

By Anna Zawisza • March 17, 2025
Washington, D.C. — In an act of midnight marauding, the White House announced that it will eliminate two of the country’s national monuments–Chuckwalla National Monument and Sattitla Highlands National Monument–both in California. A fact sheet initially posted by the White House Friday, March 14, around 11:30 pm EDT indicated Trump signed an executive order "Terminating proclamations declaring nearly a million acres constitute new national monuments that lock up vast amounts of land from economic development and energy production.”  Below is a statement from Chris Hill, CEO of the Conservation Lands Foundation, which represents a national network of community advocates who are solely focused on the National Conservation Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. “The administration knows that its policy to give away America’s public lands is wildly unpopular, which is why they’re acting like midnight marauders. People of all political affiliations love their national monuments and their access to them. Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands national monuments are some of the nation's most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes, and they were widely supported when they were designated last year. “Instead of respecting the years of strong Tribal leadership, bipartisan collaboration and heartfelt advocacy from local communities, businesses and elected officials, the administration’s action is a shameful insult to the Indigenous cultural connections, vital habitats, outdoor access, and local economies these monuments support. “There’s really no explanation for this other than this administration is trying to sneakily and greedily sell off the country’s public lands to the wealthy and well-connected, thereby blocking access for everyone else. It’s an attack that flies in the face of America’s ideals and the Conservation Lands Foundation will be unrelenting in our fight on the side of the people–85% of voters in the west–who support keeping public lands in the public’s hands.” ####

President Biden Designates Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments in California

By Conservation Lands Foundation • January 14, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Today, President Joe Biden designated Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in northern California, ensuring long-lasting protection for two extraordinary landscapes, safeguarding their cultural, ecological and recreational values for generations to come.  The Conservation Lands Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and expanding the National Conservation Lands system, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Today’s designation of Chuckwalla National Monument adds over 624,000 acres to the National Conservation Lands. It represents an important step forward in ensuring that these public lands—some of the nation's most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes—remain protected and accessible for all Americans to enjoy. Below is a statement from Chris Hill, Chief Executive Officer for the Conservation Lands Foundation, in response to today’s national monument designations: “President Joe Biden’s use of the Antiquities Act to protect Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments is the culmination of years of strong Tribal leadership, bipartisan collaboration and heartfelt advocacy from local communities, businesses and elected officials. Today’s action honors Indigenous cultural connections, conserves vital habitats, expands outdoor access, and strengthens local economies. “President Biden has now protected over 2.4 million acres of public lands using the Antiquities Act—more than any recent president in their first term. We commend the Biden Administration for recognizing the profound importance of public lands and waters in the U.S. to address the climate crisis and provide clean air and water, essential habitat for wildlife and plants, cultural continuity for Indigenous communities, and abundant recreational opportunities. “At the same time, we call on Congress to ensure the Bureau of Land Management has the resources it needs to steward Chuckwalla National Monument and other protected areas within the National Conservation Lands system. Proper funding is essential to managing the cultural and ecological resources that make these places so invaluable. “Public lands like Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments unite us across political and cultural divides, and reflect a shared commitment to preserving the lands and waters that we all depend on." “We look forward to continuing to work with Tribal Nations, our Friends Grassroots Network, local communities, and future administrations to ensure public lands remain a source of inspiration and resilience for everyone.” ####

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