California Desert: "This Is Mother Nature"

The California desert is "something different from the rest of the world," says student Patrick Jones. "This is Mother Nature and taking it away is destroying Mother Nature. And we already do enough of that."

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: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/americas-wilderness