"Establishing Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is excellent news for the embattled desert tortoise that continues to trend toward extinction in the face of expanding development."

Vera Smith, Senior Policy Analyst at Defenders of Wildlife
Washington, D.C.

Today,President Biden announced his commitment to establish a new national monument, Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, in southern Nevada. Defenders of Wildlife applauds the establishment of Avi Kwa Ame, meaning “Spirit Mountain,” because it includes areas that are sacred to many tribes and very important habitat for numerous at-risk species including the threatened desert tortoise, bighorn sheep, migratory birds, and rare plants.  

“Establishing Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is excellent news for the embattled desert tortoise that continues to trend toward extinction in the face of expanding development,” said Vera Smith, Senior Policy Analyst at Defenders of Wildlife. “The monument would link together key tortoise habitat in Nevada and California and creates important wildlife corridors for bighorn sheep.”

Image
Mojave desert tortoise
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Designating the nearly 380,000 acres of sacred tribal and biologically significant lands in the Mojave Desert as a national monument would permanently protect lands that have historically been sought for large-scale industrial energy projects. Avi Kwa Me National Monument will protect critical habitat for the desert tortoise, migratory pathways for bighorn sheep and migratory birds, and numerous rare and threatened plants including Joshua trees that are being evaluated for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Director, National Forests and Public Lands Program
VSmith@defenders.org

News

Image
2018.10.21 - Mexican Gray Wolf Pups - Watson.jpg
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Defenders Signs onto Letter Demanding Release of Female Mexican Gray Wolf

Thirty-six conservation groups representing millions of members and supporters from across the United States today sent a formal letter to the U.S. Department of the
Image
Two orcas swimming in a body of water. The orca on the left is jumping out of the water and the one on the right is breaching, just poking its dorsal fin and tops of head out. There are faint mountains in the background.
Washington, DC

New Bill Would Gut Marine Mammal Protections

Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK) introduced a draft bill today that would eviscerate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the sole federal law protecting marine mammals in