Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks: Something for Everyone

For archaeologist Angel Peña, this national monument is more than just home to cultural and geological artifacts—it’s where memories and history are made.

The following is a transcript of the video:

Angel Peña, archaeologist and Rio Bravo regional director, Conservation Lands Foundation, Las Cruces, New Mexico: One of my first memories of being in the Organ Mountains is with my daughter, who's now nine years old. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks is so special for me and her, my little girl, because we're learning at the same time, together.

When you're trying to look for something to do with your family that doesn't cost a lot of money, going outside to play is not only really cheap, but it's where memories are made.

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is made up of four different parts. The Organ Mountains create the backdrop for Las Cruces, and they're in just about every painting or picture you'll see of our little town.

The Las Uvas and the Robledos section of the monument is really where the dense cultural resources are, where all the archeology is. Potrillo lava flows, which, you know, contains some geological formation, these rocks are just a picture in time, frozen.

And then you have the Doña Anas, which is set aside and used primarily by our off-road community. There's a little bit of everything for everyone.

Our most current threat to the national monument is by this administration and their blatant attack on our traditions and our heritage. They're trying to take that away from us right now to release these lands from the public to be sold off at the highest bidder.

Our national monument is important to all Americans because it really is like a history book, right, that you can walk in and touch and experience and learn from.

Our community is at stake. The stories that make southern New Mexicans so proud would be lost.

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