From its vital natural resources to its storied history, the Amargosa Basin is a truly special place. This beautiful desert landscape, nestled between Death Valley and the Mojave National Preserve, is home to diverse plant species, endemic and threatened wildlife, vibrant communities, and significant Native American and European history and culture. It is often called the crown jewel of the Mojave Desert because it also has a unique feature rarely found in the desert: a beautiful river supporting abundant resources and lively ecosystems. It is truly a place worth protecting for generations to come.

Why monument status? In 1906, the Antiquities Act enabled the Executive Branch to establish national monuments throughout the country to protect and honor significant American landscapes. However, the creation of the National Conservation Lands System in 2000 dramatically changed the status of National Monuments within the Department of Interior. The mission of this new system was to “conserve, protect and restore these nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations.” The current designation of public lands in the Amargosa Basin, such as a Wild and Scenic River, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, a National Historic Trail and National Conservation Areas, mean they are already part of the National Conservation Lands system (with the exception of private property as the National Conservations Lands system has no authority over privately owned lands). As valuable as these individual public land designations are, the context in which they are found gives added meaning to the land and its history. Designating the Amargosa Basin as a National Monument would ensure a holistic management plan that would impart this broader perspective. It is time to take this step and grant the entire Amargosa Basin national monument status, a step that would honor, protect, and enhance the land and its people.

The Friends of the Amargosa Basin, a nonprofit organization with 501c3 status, was incorporated with the primary goal of achieving monument status for the Amargosa Basin. Although monument status is the primary goal, the organization is also an advocacy organization dedicated to protecting these lands.