Since time immemorial, Tribal Nations have stewarded the lands now protected as Chuckwalla National Monument. Tribes, alongside local desert communities, led the effort to establish the monument and protect this culturally significant landscape. To mark the one-year anniversary of the Chuckwalla National Monument Intertribal Commission, we spoke with Interim Executive Director Bennae Calac about what Chuckwalla means to Tribal leaders and communities, and why protecting this sacred landscape matters.

The night sky above Chuckwalla National Monument is a site to behold, with planets, nebulae, and galaxies that are light-years away often visible. This month, we spoke with John Frazier of the Astronomical Society of the Desert to learn more about astronomy, stargazing, and what makes this landscape such a special place to experience the night sky. In this Q&A, John takes us on a journey through the stars and shares what to look for when you visit Chuckwalla after dark.

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.