In the face of threats of climate change and habitat loss, a new national monument will protect critical habitat, promote equitable access to nature, and preserve the desert's rich cultural history.

With less than two weeks left in his presidency, President Joe Biden designated two new national monuments in the West. Biden signed proclamations Tuesday creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, both in California, covering 848,000 acres of land.

President Joe Biden flew to Los Angeles Monday, one day before traveling to the Coachella Valley to announce the creation of a national monument south of Joshua Tree National Park.