Ironwood Forest National Monument
On Saturday, environmental groups nationwide are participating in a day of action to show support for national monuments, parks and public lands that could be opened up to mining projects under the Trump Administration.
In April, it was reported that the current administration was considering cutting back protections of public lands, including the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument and Ironwood Forest National Monument.
That’s why people are organizing to show support, says Tom Hannagan, president of the nonprofit Friends of Ironwood Forest.
“Unfortunately the Ironwood Forest was reported as being on the list of national monuments that they are considering for boundary changes or land sales or allowing industry to come in, and so we’re trying to raise awareness and if possible, prevent that from happening,” he said.
Locals will be meeting at the Waterman Peak Trail parking area at the Ironwood Forest National Monument at 8 a.m. and at the intersection of Forest Road 320 and Highway 64, south of Tusayan, near the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument at the same time.
Hannagan said that locals will also be celebrating.
“We have recently had proclamations from Pima County, the City of Tucson and the Town of Marana recognizing June 9th as Ironwood Forest Day,” he said.
It is also the 25th anniversary of President Bill Clinton’s presidential proclamation, establishing the monument.
Hannagan added that on Saturday, the group will be encouraging people to do what they can to ensure that the Monument is preserved and that its boundaries are kept by the current administration.
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