A proposal is gaining traction to designate a stark stretch of the California desert as a national monument. The Amargosa River, a vital lifeline coursing through the Mojave Desert, sustains a remarkable array of life, sculpting canyons, nurturing springs, and shaping ancient lakebeds amidst an otherwise unforgiving environment. A local nonprofit organization is spearheading a campaign to establish a 1.2-million-acre Amargosa Basin National Monument. This ambitious initiative aims to consolidate existing federally managed areas while bolstering conservation efforts across the region.