Biden Expands National Monuments, Driving Demand for Additional Designations

This article examines President Joe Biden's expansion of national monuments, noting the creation of six new sites and modifications to existing ones. These actions are a direct response to the advocacy of conservationists and Native American tribes seeking protections for culturally and ecologically significant areas. The historical context is enriched by recalling Theodore Roosevelt’s use of the Antiquities Act in 1906, aimed at preserving unique landscapes. Biden's designations include sites of spiritual importance for Indigenous peoples, such as Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah. The article emphasizes the urgent need for additional monument designations, including proposed sites in California and Oklahoma that acknowledge historical injustices.

It also discusses the challenges of balancing conservation with economic interests, particularly in states like Nevada, ultimately making a strong case for the protection of America’s natural and cultural heritage.