Secretary Sally Jewell Visits Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument

United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell visited Las Cruces and the Organ Mountains- Desert Peaks National Monument as part of a nationwide tour highlighting the Interior Department’s efforts during the Obama Administration. U.S. Secretary of the Interior started her day in Las Cruces with a morning hike at the Organ Mountains- Desert Peaks National Monument listening to highlights from the area since the monument designation. “The trail that we walked up was worked on by Youth Conservation Corps Crews from surrounding areas all the way from Northern New Mexico that came to work on this trail,” Jewell said. “You’re engaging the girl scouts with a merit badge for exploring the Organ Mountains- Desert Peaks. You’re discovering new paleontological features and archaeological features. Engaging the Isleta Del Sur Pueblo, and other Native groups and really recognizing just what a treasure lies here.” Secretary Jewell says she is also using the trip to look at the economic benefits of protecting public lands. “This area that we’re in now the Organ Montains- Desert Peaks National Monument,” Jewell said. “Was declared a National Monument by President Obama just two years ago. And they’ve already seen a dramatic increase in tourism, and recreation and visibility for this beautiful area. That’s helping drive the businesses here in Las Cruces. So, I’m here to meet with members of the business community, to talk with folks from BLM and the friends group and the supporting network that care so deeply about this place and is just beginning to unlock it’s secrets.”...more