Facts About the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
- 342,177 acres of the Angeles National Forest
- 4,002 acres of neighboring San Bernardino National Forest
- Rivers of the San Gabriel Mountains provide drinking water for the Los Angeles region; are vital in the support of native fish, animals and plants; and provide critical habitat for threatened or endangered species such as the California condor, mountain yellow-legged frog, arroyo chub fish and Nelson’s bighorn sheep
- Area provides suitable habitat for more than 50 plants deemed sensitive and at risk of being endangered by the Forest Service, and as many as 300 California-endemic species that only grow in the San Gabriel Range
- Recreational activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, nature viewing, picnicking, water activities and horseback riding and camping
- Within 90 minutes of 15 million people in the Los Angeles Basin
- Holds evidence of more than 8,000 years of human history, including more than 600 archeological sites
- Designated as a national monument by President Barack Obama on October 10, 2014
More: Official website for the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Our Work on San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
President Obama designated the San Gabriel Mountains a national monument on October 10, 2014, as a direct result of our efforts over the years to secure additional protections for this region. (Before we branded as Nature for All, we began as San Gabriel Mountains Forever; more on our history and involvement here.)
“The notion of a national monument is interesting because it reminds us that America belongs to all of us — not just some of us. My commitment to conservation isn’t about locking away our natural treasures; it’s about working with communities to open up our glorious heritage to everybody — young and old, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American — to make sure everybody can experience these incredible gifts.” — President Obama, during the ceremony to dedicate the national monument
National monuments emphasize the conservation of an area’s unique natural, historic and cultural heritage, and provide protections from future oil and gas leasing claims and commercial development. Designation as a national monument permanently protects watersheds and water quality, conserves fish and wildlife, enhances air quality, and provides opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation for more than three million annual visitors. National monument designations honor existing rights and are managed with local input.
After years of working to secure additional protections for this region, we were thrilled to be part of the celebration. The Monument currently encompasses 346,177 acres of U.S. Forest Service lands and we actively participated in the development of the management plan for the monument, which will improve access and recreational amenities, and protect our rivers and habitat. This work has been done in partnership with our stakeholders who have been passionate supporters of these efforts. We are also working on additional protections for the region.
Virtual Tour of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Protecting and Expanding the National Monument
Join us in calling on President Biden to add 109,000 acres of public lands to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Here’s why: These lands are the backyard for many urban and culturally diverse communities that have limited access to green spaces in their neighborhoods; expanding the monument will help protect the upper Los Angeles River watershed, which is an important source of our region’s drinking water; the San Gabriel Mountains are a refuge for wildlife including black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.
Learn more and sign our petition to expand the monument and protect more public lands.
Community Voices: Why We Need Our National Monument
Read what community members say about the value of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.