December 28, 2016

President Obama designated two new National Monuments this December: Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah and Gold Butte National Monument in southern Nevada.

Bears Ears National Monument includes roughly 1.35 million acres of federal land and is named after two distinctive geological features sacred to local tribes. Gold Butte National Monument spans 300,000 acres and contains cultural resources and unique geological formations.

President Obama stated that these designations will protect the desert landscapes of Utah and southern Nevada for the enjoyment and prosperity of future generations.

Sources: White House Office of the Press Secretary