Chuckwalla National Monument offers endless opportunities for discovery with its sweeping desert vistas. This month, we spoke with Ashley Lee, an off-road vehicle enthusiast and educator, about what draws her to this landscape and why she believes off-roading can inspire a deeper connection to the desert. In this Q&A, she shares how curiosity can lead to more meaningful adventures and stronger stewardship of public lands.

This month, we spoke with Dr. Cam Barrows, Conservation Ecologist, Emeritus at the Center for Conservation Biology, University of California Riverside, about chuckwallas— the tough desert lizards found in Chuckwalla National Monument. In this Q&A, he unpacks their survival strategies, striking diversity, and ecological importance.