Foundation News

At the end of February, President Obama announced the designation of three new national monuments – Browns Canyon in Colorado, the historic Pullman Neighborhood in Chicago, and the Honouliuli on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.

These three monuments are an important part of our nation's story. Browns Canyon celebrates 21,000 acres of wild lands, habitats and waters, while the Pullman National Monument and the Honouliuli National Monument allow us to deepen our understanding of the past.

The Sierra Club Foundation supports efforts to increase national monument designation through the Our Wild America Campaign. With funding from The Sierra Club Foundation, the Sierra Club in 2014 set a goal of securing by 2017 at least three new national monuments in proposed sites around the country, one of which was Browns Canyon!

Permanent protection for Browns Canyon ensures the area remains open to recreation like hiking, fishing, and rafting on the Arkansas River and protects important habitat for wildlife like falcons, bobcats, big horn sheep, and elk. Browns Canyon also provides economic benefits to the local community on top of its priceless natural value.

We thank President Obama for taking steps to expand our nation's outdoor heritage and Sierra Club staff, volunteers, and supporters for their work to secure permanent protections for our treasured landscapes.