Great Bend of the Gila National Monument

The proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument, near Phoenix, Arizona, would protect over 300,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert - the most biodiverse desert in North America. At least 13 federally recognized Tribes have cultural, historical, and ancestral ties to the landscape that would be protected by this proposed national monument.

The stretch of river valley and surrounding desert between the cities of Phoenix and Yuma, Arizona, constitutes a fragile habitat for desert-dwelling animals such as bighorn sheep, Sonoran desert tortoise, mule deer, and javelina.  The region also serves as a backcountry destination for tourists and nearby residents. Permanently protecting the area will support high-quality backcountry recreational experiences which would bolster the area’s economic vitality due to its dependence on recreation and tourism.