Hundreds show support for San Gabriel Mountains National Monument expansion

Azusa, CA – The Forest Service hosted a public listening session today where hundreds of Southern California residents gathered to share their thoughts on the proposed San Gabriel Mountains National Monument expansion. A majority of people who provided public comment voiced their resounding support for an expansion while citing its many benefits.  

The proposed expansion area would protect an additional 109,000 acres of adjacent public lands in the Angeles National Forest and would safeguard a critical source of local drinking water, address the climate and biodiversity crisis, honor the cultural and historical significance of the area, improve public health and increase equitable access to nature for more than 18 million people live within a 90-mile radius of the San Gabriel Mountains.  

In response, Daniel Rossman, California deputy director at The Wilderness Society, issued the following statement: 

“We stand proudly alongside local Tribes and the hundreds of community advocates who showed up and shared their diverse perspectives on the many values of this cherished landscape. We thank the Biden Administration for their care in deeply listening to community and understanding our 20-year vision for the San Gabriel Mountains. The voices represented today made clear the need to permanently protect these mountains to preserve their rich biodiversity, address the climate crisis and promote a better quality of life for the people who depend on this close-to-home nature.” 

Today’s public listening session follows a same-day visit by officials from the Biden Administration and Forest Service where they met with local stakeholders and community leaders to understand their future vision for the landscape. Earlier this year, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) hosted a joint event publicly calling on President Biden to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument using the Antiquities Act. 

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Contact: Keri Gilliland, Communications Manager - Equitable Benefits: keri_gilliland@tws.org  / 303-386-2243