U.S. President Barack Obama designated three new national monuments in the states of California, Nevada, and Texas in July. The sites will be protected from development, mining, and logging in order to preserve America’s natural beauty.
Each of the new monuments boasts its own characteristics. California’s Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument preserves cultural sites of Native Americans, as well as biodiversity. Because it is already very popular among hikers and campers, the White House expects the area to attract even more visitors, which will promote economic growth. Located next to the Mojave Desert, Nevada’s Basin and Range is distinguished by its pristine condition and all types of natural treasures, including rare plants and 4,000-year-old Native American rock art. Meanwhile, Texas has the Waco Mammoth National Monument, where fossils of 24 Columbian mammoths from more than 65,000 years ago were discovered.
Amid resistance from some Republicans calling Obama’s move a practice of authority to lock up land, many others are welcoming and supporting his decision to protect the environment.