May marked the 10th anniversary of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument designation. The monument has shaped the landscape and communities of southern New Mexico. Established in 2014, this sprawling monument covers approximately 490,000 acres of the Chihuahuan Desert in Doña Ana County, protecting an area rich in ecological diversity, geological beauty, and cultural heritage. Encompassing multiple mountain ranges, including the Organ, Potrillo, Robledo, Uvas, and Doña Ana Mountains, the monument offers visitors a variety of outdoor experiences and has played a significant role in the regional economy.
The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument invites exploration and adventure, with activities like hiking, biking, camping, and horseback riding; the area’s diverse topography, including rugged mountains, open woodlands, and narrow canyons, provides an exciting array of terrains for outdoor enthusiasts. Animal and plant life is abundant in this protected area, where visitors can encounter mountain lions, bobcats, peregrine falcons, and the rare Organ Mountain pincushion cactus. This diversity of flora and fauna is a draw for nature lovers and ecologists who come to observe and study the monument’s ecosystems.
Beyond its natural beauty, the monument also serves as a historical landmark and is home to many ancient petroglyphs and archaeological sites. These sites preserve the legacy of indigenous peoples who inhabited this area for thousands of years, along with traces of Spanish explorers and early settlers who traveled through New Mexico along the historic Camino Real. This cultural heritage deepens the significance of the monument and makes it a valuable resource for educators, historians and visitors.
Over the past decade, the monument’s designation has not only protected this land but has also generated notable benefits for the surrounding communities. According to a recent study , visitation to the monument has tripled since 2012.
The success of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument highlights the benefits that national monuments can bring to local communities. By protecting landscapes and ecosystems, national monuments preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of regions like southern New Mexico.Â
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Ellen runs campaigns to protect America’s beautiful places, from local beachfronts to remote mountain peaks. She sits on the Steering Committee of the Arctic Defense Campaign and co-coordinates the Climate Forests Campaign. Ellen previously worked as the organizing director for Environment America’s Climate Defenders campaign and managed grassroots campaign offices across the country. Ellen lives in Denver, where she likes to hike in Colorado’s mountains.
