I have to confess, in all my travels across California, especially the Joshua Tree National Park and its surrounding environs, I have never photographed a Chuckwalla. Having learned about these wonderful lizards, I am now yearning to see one, and of course, for personal satisfaction, photograph one. If you are a nature lover, a Californian and a naturalist, I am sure, the more you learn about these critters, you would be too. This is precisely why habitats of species threatened by development, as well as their ecologies need protection. In this case, the protection would also come along with protection for local California natives. This would also provide habitat continuity and connectivity, essential to several desert species, and not just Chuckwallas.
There is also strong support for the proposed monument from several organizations, the idea has popped up in the press and state level political leaders. Within the state of California, there is a deep concern for environmental causes and combating the adverse effects of climate change. Therefore, public support should also be heightened, and the more people are made aware of such protections, the more they would. Plus, the antiquities act will allow the current President to make the designation easily. Lastly, who doesn’t wish to have a new set of places to visit and new hiking trails to conquer. That is always a reason to say yes, am I right?
A Call to Action
Should your research prove that you agree with the advocates for the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, and I will leave you with some links here, I exhort you in joining me in supporting this great cause, not just for us, and mostly for future generations to continue to enjoy more of the natural wonders of California. National Monument designations, while not offering the same level of protections as that of National Park designations, still offer critical funding and other support mechanisms. Plus, this proposal also calls for some expansion of Joshua Tree National Park as well. So here is the call to action that I just signed:
Of course, signing petitions is not the only thing to do. Share the petitions, share the cause of the Chuckwallas, of more natural protections for California and in general, engage in advocacy, not just for us, but for the generations that will enjoy these lands and the company of these wonderful species hereafter!
Always remember, just because you embrace a cause, and its furtherance seems like an easy given, it wont automatically come to fruition. Much work and advocacy has to go in, plus we are talking about thousands of acres and nefarious, private interests, always a threat in California could lurk in the background and rear their ugly heads at any time. So, sign and talk about the issues today!
Learn More:
- Start Here: https://protectchuckwalla.org/
- Learn more about the diversity of the species: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuckwalla
- Reporting by the Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-04-28/chuckwalla-national-monument-proposal
- A note by the Center for Western Priorities (also the source of the cover image for this blog post) about the various advantages of a potential designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument: https://westernpriorities.org/2023/11/proposed-chuckwalla-national-monument-is-a-win-for-conservation-and-renewable-development/
