LCV and U.S. Reps. Grijalva, Titus, and O’Rourke Call for New Parks
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) along with Rep Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) held a tele-press conference to mark the centennial of the National Park Service and call for the protection for more special places.
On the call, LCV and these members of Congress discussed the importance of our national parks, the need to build an all-encompassing parks system, which is reflective of our country’s rich history and diverse cultures and to highlight the efforts to permanently protect spaces, including the Greater Grand Canyon, Gold Butte, and Castner Range.
“Establishing Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument will protect the natural and cultural resources of the Grand Canyon region and diversify our national parks system at the same time,” said Congressman Grijalva. “That’s why I’ve been working with Native American and environmental advocates for the past 18 months to highlight the importance of getting this done before President Obama leaves office. Naming this monument will defend our magnificent open spaces from privatization, save our cultural heritage from vandalism and neglect, preserve centuries of history, and tell an important story about the future of our public lands. I look forward to seeing it through.”
“Gold Butte is Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon, and we need to protect this incredible landscape for future generations,” said Congresswoman Titus. “The cultural and historical resources there provide a glimpse into Nevada’s past; preserving them and the precious open spaces and wildlife will provide a boost to our outdoor recreation economy and help us tell our story for years to come.”
“Castner Range is the crown jewel of West Texas,” said Congressman O’Rourke. “It deserves to be protected and preserved in its natural state.”
“Over the past 100 years our national parks have been a huge part of our nation’s history. In the next 100 years we need to continue to grow our parks system to ensure that we are not only safeguarding the diverse cultures and history of our country but are protecting more magnificent landscapes as well,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “No one understands this more than President Obama who has already permanently protected over 265 million acres of land and water and worked to build a more inclusive parks system by designating places like the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, the Stonewall National Monument, the César E. Chávez National Monument, the Pullman National Monument, and more.”
“As the National Park System heads into its next 100 years it is our duty to preserve these parks and natural resources by recognizing the value that protected land has for our generation and generations to come,” said VP & National Director of LCV’s Chispa Program Jennifer Allen. “Our legacy should be to protect our nation’s treasures, the places providing all our communities with exceptional recreational opportunities to gather, celebrate and explore, and a chance to get back to our native roots.”
The Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument will help to permanently protect land and waters sacred to Native Americans, sensitive habitats, and historic places surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park. As Ranking Member on the House Natural Resources Committee Congressman Grijalva has been a leading voice in helping to establish the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument. This monument is supported by regional tribes and people in Arizona and across the county.
The Gold Butte National Monument will conserve the unique scenery, wildlife, cultural heritage as well as the historic and prehistoric resources in southern Nevada. Gold Butte is where visitors can go hiking, hunting and birdwatching while learning about this historic mining town from the early 1900’s. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Congresswoman Titus, and people all over Nevada and the Southwest are working to protect Gold Butte for generations to come.
The Castner Range National Monument will safeguard this beautiful landscape that has important ecology, geology and waterways as well as significant cultural sites and historic military sites in El Paso, Texas. Congressman O’Rourke along with community leaders, local business, conservation groups and neighborhood associations all support designating the Castner Range National Monument, because it will preserve this pristine landscape that has significant archaeological and historical resources as well as military sites and ancient rock imagery sites.
