Our Common Ground: National monuments at risk

Since taking office, the Trump administration has announced plans to strip protections from beloved national monuments, despite strong local and national support for these places that preserve America’s story for future generations. 
 

The administration aims to roll back protections on over 6 million acres, opening the door to mining and drilling in lands where people come to explore, learn and connect. Places that are Our Common Ground. 

Stripping these monuments disregards years of collaboration by local communities and Tribal Nations to safeguard lands of deep cultural and ecological significance. These sites sustain Native traditions and ongoing cultural practices, support local economies, provide vital wildlife habitat, and ensure everyone can enjoy the freedoms of the outdoors. 

National monuments at risk include Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands in California; Browns Canyon in Colorado; Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada; Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks in New Mexico; Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah; and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon and Ironwood Forest in Arizona. 

To see what’s truly at stake, we sent a crew to capture the wonder of these places and hear from the people who know them best. Join us as we travel through Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah to visit some of our most treasured national monuments.