Latest News About America's National Conservation Lands

On February 12, 2016, President Obama used his authority under the Antiquities Act to permanently protect three new monuments, two of which are new additions to the National Conservation Lands: Mojave Trails and Sand to Snow National Monuments, both located in the California desert.

Camping, fires and food can damage the archaeological remains and also spoil the view for other visitors.

Metal tips to hiking poles can scratch and scar rock art and change the natural look of a trail or archaeological site. A $6 rubber tip on your hiking pole can prevent damage to sites.

Keep pets leashed away from archaeology where they won’t dig, poop or cause erosion inside a site.

Grinding grooves, grinding slicks, and other features of sites created by ancient people should be left alone. By pretending to be an ancient, you can easily damage these features and erase important scientific value.

Archaeological sites are not playgrounds. Please teach children respect. Keep a close eye so kids don’t get hurt or accidentally damage the site.

Historic artifacts older than 50 years are protected and should be left where you find them.

Historic and prehistoric structures can be easily damaged. Please refrain from touching, leaning, standing or climbing on any structures, no matter how solid they look.

Keep the landscape natural by leaving only footprints. Cairns can increase impacts on sensitive sites and are frequently constructed with artifacts like grinding or shrine stones.