We’re Taking a Stand for Chuckwalla

Breaking News

Today brings important news regarding Chuckwalla National Monument, a place many of us hold dear for its unique beauty, rich history, and vital ecological significance. This remarkable desert area in Southern California was designated a National Monument by President Biden in January 2025. It was a milestone we all celebrated as a community - the permanent protection of ancestral homelands, historic and scientific treasures, rare flora and fauna, and incredible recreational adventures.

Unfortunately, Chuckwalla National Monument is already under attack. A lawsuit has been filed by special interest groups from Texas and Colorado, and an individual with a mining claim within the Chuckwalla boundary from Michigan, challenging the Monument’s designation and seeking to undo the protections we worked so hard for together.

I refuse to sit idly by while special interests exploit our public lands and destroy the countless benefits this landscape provides to our community. I’m not giving up on Chuckwalla, and neither should you!

Today, CactusToCloud is taking a stand for Chuckwalla. In partnership with statewide and national organizations, we have filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Chuckwalla, represented by the law firm Earthjustice. This follows a similar intervention today by Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and three other Tribal Nations represented by the Native American Rights Fund.

Why is Intervening Important?

We believe it is crucial for our voice, and the voices of all who cherish this Monument, to be heard directly in court.

• Protecting a Sacred Landscape

  Chuckwalla holds profound religious, spiritual, historic, and cultural significance for numerous Tribal Nations whose origin stories trace back to these lands. We are committed to defending these sacred spaces and their interconnected cultural and natural resources.

• Safeguarding Incredible Biodiversity

  The Monument's diverse habitats are home to a remarkable array of plant and animal species, and its unique geology tells a fundamental story about our natural world. Protecting Chuckwalla ensures the survival of species like bighorn sheep and desert tortoises, by maintaining the wildlife corridors they depend on remain intact to help them adapt to climate change.

• Ensuring Public Access

  Chuckwalla provides countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, stargazing, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on authorized routes, and hunting. Its designation also provides a vital asset for public health, and a sustainable economic driver for the Coachella Valley.

• Our Unique Perspective

  This lawsuit has been filed against the federal government and the Department of Interior, who are the land managers in charge of Chuckwalla. While they may defend the Monument, they do not share the same unique interests as local Tribes, dedicated organizations like CactusToCloud, and local community members in our desert. CactusToCloud is the only Coachella Valley-based organization filing to intervene, bringing our deep personal connections, local expertise, and a commitment to inclusive public access and long-term stewardship to the table.

“Chuckwalla isn’t just a landscape - it’s a part of our personal and cultural stories in the desert.

By intervening, we’re taking a stand and ensuring these stories are told by the people who know them best.”

Chuckwalla National Monument is more than just land to me—it's a part of my personal story. This Monument is a living classroom for geology, rare plants, and climate change, and a vital, sustainable economic driver for the Coachella Valley. Its designation ensures that everyone, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can experience the exceptional beauty and rich culture of our desert.

With the support of our team, our partners, and you, I’m committed to defending this land I love and worked for years to protect. I will keep you updated on the progress of this legal challenge.

Thank you for your continued support in our mission to promote understanding, access to, and appreciation for the desert lands of the Coachella Valley.

Stay cool, and I’ll see you on the trail in Chuckwalla soon,

Colin Barrows,

CoFounder

CactusToCloud Institute