Conservation groups are working to raise awareness of the fight to protect a pristine California desert landscape from development, near Death Valley National Park and Owens Lake. Conglomerate Mesa and Centennial Flats are treasured by local tribes and outdoor enthusiasts, but the area is also in the sights of a Canadian gold-mining company, which is seeking permission to build roads and drill 30 additional exploration holes, for a total of 120. Wendy Schneider, executive director of Friends of the Inyo, said the area is part of an important high desert ecosystem. .
Over the weekend, Nevada s Lehman Caves celebrated its 100th anniversary as a national monument. Supporters behind a proposal to add another monument in the state hope the observations serve as a reminder of the need to preserve public lands. The proposed monument - south of Las Vegas - would be called Avi Kwa Ame, which is the Mojave Tribe s term for Spirit Mountain. .