Campaign for Mutt Kupshuw – ‘Éexil Kwáavichush National Monument
A global hotspot for biological diversity. Special cultural places and resources to Indigenous people. Outdoor recreation backyard to millions of southern Californians. Sublime natural quiet and views. These are just a few of the values supporting designation of a proposed new Mutt Kupshuw – ‘Éexil Kwáavichush National Monument on federal public land in the foothills, mountains, and desert of southernmost California.
Pronounced “Mutt cup-show Éch-hill kwáh-ve-chush” and meaning “take care of the land” in local Luiseño and Kumeyaay/Diegueño Native American languages, a new National Monument would help ensure that federal land centered around California’s southern Pacific Crest is better protected and managed far into the future.
LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT
The proposed Mutt Kupshuw – ‘Éexil Kwáavichush National Monument would be located on approximately 480,000 acres of the Cleveland National Forest and adjoining Bureau of Land Management lands in eastern San Diego County, southern Riverside County, and western Imperial County. Large areas of conserved lands in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and Volcan Mountain Preserve among many others border and connect the Monument to provide ecological connectivity across this special landscape.
WHERE IS THE PROPOSED MUTT KUPSHUW – ‘ÉEXIL KWÁAVICHUSH NATIONAL MONUMENT OVERVIEW MAP
Popular Outdoor Recreation Destinations
Areas included in the proposed Monument include extraordinarily popular outdoor recreation destinations for millions of nearby southern California residents. The Pacific Crest Trail, Laguna Meadows, Cedar Creek and Three Sisters waterfalls, and snow play areas on Laguna and Palomar mountains attract visitation rivaling some of the Country’s most popular national parks but with far less infrastructure and services. A new Monument would permanently protect these destinations, enhance recreation, and help improve equitable access to nature for all.
EXPLORE THE PROPOSED MUTT KUPSHUW – ‘ÉEXIL KWÁAVICHUSH NATIONAL MONUMENT
Threatened Lands and Resources
At first glance, land in the Mutt Kupshuw – ‘Éexil Kwáavichush National Monument may appear as if it’s already protected by federal ownership. But these lands actually exist in an obscure patchwork of conservation and conflicting, “multiple use” management with the majority of these federal lands still available for development. Threats include energy and utility development, landfills, mining, and under-management. Biodiversity and wildlife corridors and other ecological connections are at risk from development and climate change. Culturally sacred places have been developed, vandalized, or looted. And Tribal access to original territories, traditional resources, and cultural uses have been limited.
Benefits of the Proposed National Monument
National monuments are designated to protect federally-owned lands and waters with significant cultural, historic, ecological, and scientific values for conservation and enjoyment by future generations. The proposed Mutt Kupshuw – ‘Éexil Kwáavichush National Monument would:
- Keep beautiful undeveloped mountain and desert lands as they are;
- Protect and support Indigenous cultural uses and places;
- Protect biodiversity and help address climate change;
- Enhance outdoor recreation and equitable access to nature for all;
- Increase resources for conservation management and improved visitor experience;
- Benefit nearby communities.
Establishment of a new Mutt Kupshuw – ‘Éexil Kwáavichush National Monument would ultimately benefit nature and people by reducing the threat of harmful future development and providing improved management to protect and maintain this special place and resources as a centerpiece of interconnected and protected natural lands and would help ensure our communities can enjoy these precious natural lands for generations to come.
Please contact David Hogan for more information, to sign up for future notices, or to endorse the Monument: director@chaparralconservancy.org.