Success: Endangered Species and Native American Artifacts Preserved

Target: Barack Obama, President of the United States

Goal: Applaud the protection of sacred Native American artifacts and land.

After years of debate and thousands of signatures from activists, Barack Obama has finally designated land in Utah and Nevada as national monuments. As was demanded in this ForceChange petition, Obama used the 1906 Antiquities Act to preserve 1.3 million acres at Bears Ears in Utah and 300,000 acres at Gold Butte in Nevada. This executive order helps protect these lands from vandals as well as from future mining and oil drilling. At Gold Butte alone, there are already many bullet holes in the ancient petroglyphs, and farmland has encroached on the habitats of endangered species like the Mojave dessert turtle and big horn sheep. Finally, these lands, which span 1.6 million acres all together, will be recognized for their beauty and sacredness.

Obama has used this executive action 29 times, more than any other administration, to protect water and land across America. Officials from Utah have already promised to fight the order, and many are worried that the President-elect will undo this action, though it should be noted that no one has ever taken national monument status away from a protected area. Gold Butte and Bears Ears will finally receive the protection they deserve. Sign this petition to thank Obama for taking action.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear President Obama,

I am writing to thank you for using the Antiquities Act to protect land at Gold Butte and Bears Ears. Native American artifacts are important to the history of America, and these lands are home to many species of animals and plants that need protection. Hopefully, with this new sanction in place, vandals will cease to destroy these magnificent sites.

Your tenure deserves praise for all your administration has done to preserve the natural environment of the United States, but I am especially grateful for what you’ve done for Native American land in Utah and Nevada. Thank you for saving Gold Butte and Bears Ears by deeming them national monuments.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: brewbooks