Three Recently Designated National Monuments to be Celebrated Thursday

WHITEWATER, CA - A public celebration is planned Thursday to laud Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow and Castle Mountains as newly designated national monuments, which gives them increased federal protection.

President Barack Obama designated the three monuments -- which overlap to cover more than 1.8 million acres stretching from northern Riverside County to near the Nevada border -- in February. Local leaders campaigned for the monument designation for more than a decade.

Thursday's event will include remarks from state and federal legislative and forestry representatives, musical performances and guided hikes through the Whitewater Preserve and into the Sand to Snow National Monument.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird are scheduled to attend the ceremony, along with Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron and San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested, but not required.

– By City News Service.  Image via Shutterstock.