California Desert Needs Protection - Designation means destination

See the stunning, fragile California desert habitats that are close to being designated as national monuments. "Designation means destination," says filmmaker Eva Soltes. "It puts [the three proposed areas] on the map, literally, and it puts them in tourist guides." Californians and other Americans—as well as visitors from all over the world—have long been drawn to the California desert's painted mountains, diverse wildlife, Native American petroglyphs, and rich history. Now we have a historic opportunity to protect special places in the California desert that hold extraordinary historical, cultural, ecological, and economic value. After working for nearly a decade on legislative efforts to protect the California Desert, we are turning to President Obama to designate the Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains areas as national monuments. More videos and facts on U.S. wilderness conservation: ****** *Transcript* [Eva Soltes speaking] President Obama, please protect Castle Mountains, Sand to Snow, and Mojave Trails. I think it's really important to support the designation of Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains, because designation means destination. And it puts them on the map, literally, and it puts them in tourist guides. It puts them in books. It makes them a conversation piece. It names them. And what that does is, it promotes a healthy economy for the areas that surround it. It protects the wildlife that's there, it protects the vistas. And it does what the government really should be doing for its people, which is protecting its heritage and its future. ...