Washington, D.C. — In response to President Biden’s designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which, based on the proposal led by Tribal Nations, will permanently protect nearly one million acres of public land around Grand Canyon National Park and a key source of clean drinking water in the region, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa AZ issued the following statements:

“Thanks to President Biden, Secretaries Haaland and Vilsack, the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, and local leaders and advocates, the iconic Grand Canyon region is now permanently protected,” said Gene Karpinski, LCV’s President. “In addition to helping to preserve the stories, histories, and sacred sites of the Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, and Navajo people, this new monument helps protect a vital source of clean drinking water in the Southwest and will create jobs in the outdoor recreation economy. President Biden is building an incredible conservation record by working with local communities and Tribal Nations, and we look forward to working together to strengthen protections for more parks, lands, and waters”

“Our indigenous relatives have been calling for the protection of sacred lands for years, and the Grand Canyon Coalition has followed their lead in an admirable advocacy effort for the designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument,” said Vianey Olivarría, Chispa AZ’s Executive Director. “We are ecstatic that our state has a new national monument, grateful that the Biden administration listened to the call of Tribal leaders and relieved that the unique ecosystems, wildlife and water sources found in and around the Grand Canyon are now protected for future generations.”

LCV and Chispa AZ will run digital ads in Arizona thanking President Biden, Secretary Haaland, and Secretary Vilsack for the new national monument designation that will support continued Tribal stewardship of the region, protect a vital source of clean drinking water, and create jobs in the outdoor recreation economy.

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