Conservation Lands Foundation Applauds President Biden for Expanding National Monuments in California

San Francisco, Calif. - Today, President Joe Biden designated Molok Luyuk (pronounced “Ma.lok/ Lue.yoke”) as an addition to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument near Sacramento, California and expanded San Gabriel Mountains National Monument near Los Angeles.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited Molok Luyuk in September and San Gabriel Mountains in September 2023. 

Today, the President honored his administration’s commitment to Tribal leaders, elected officials, businesses, recreationists, and local communities by expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain and San Gabriel Mountains National Monuments via the Antiquities Act.

Below is a statement from Jocelyn Torres, Co-Interim Executive Director and Chief Conservation Officer for Conservation Lands Foundation, in response to the President’s action on Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument:

“Today’s action by President Biden to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument by designating Molok Luyuk honors efforts to safeguard sites of sacred, cultural and historic significance, wildlife and rare plant habitat, and outdoor recreation for current and future generations.

“We are grateful President Biden heard the calls of Tribal leaders; federal, state and local governments; businesses; and advocates from Indigenous, outdoor recreation, conservation and many other communities to permanently protect this sacred landscape by use of the Antiquities Act.

“The Biden administration has protected more than 4.6 million acres of lands sacred to Native communities by designating the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona, the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, and by restoring Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments in Utah. Expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk builds on that legacy, while helping to meet the administration’s goals of protecting 30% of lands and waters in the United States by 2030. We look forward to continuing to work with his Administration, our Friends Grassroots Network, Tribal nations and elected officials to designate other places worthy of protection.

“Molok Luyuk means “Condor Ridge'' in the Patwin language and is the ancestral home of the Hill Patwin people. Descendants of the Hill Patwin live here today as the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Kletzel Dehe Wintun Nation and the Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians. Historic trails across Molok Luyuk linked these Tribes to each other and to the wider network of trade and cultural exchange throughout the region. Indigenous people from all directions have come to its springs for ceremonies and healing since time immemorial.

“The public can thank President Biden and learn more about the importance of Molok Luyuk and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument at www.conservationlands.org/molok_luyuk.”

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