California Desert Sky "Knocks Their Socks Off" in Proposed National Monument

The proposed Sand to Snow National Monument in California's Mojave Desert is home to a rich tapestry of vistas and habitats, shown here in striking video, including time-lapse footage of the night sky.

"One of the things that I think most impresses new visitors to the desert is the openness, the quiet, the vastness of the landscapes that are still pristine," says Robin Kobaly, wildlife biologist and executive director of the SummerTree Institute.

Californians and other Americans—as well as visitors from all over the world—have long been drawn to the California desert's painted mountains, diverse wildlife, Native American petroglyphs, and rich history.

Now we have a historic opportunity to protect special places in the California desert that hold extraordinary historical, cultural, ecological, and economic value. After working for nearly a decade on legislative efforts to protect the California Desert, we are turning to President Obama to designate the Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains areas as national monuments.

More videos and facts on U.S. wilderness conservation: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/americas-wilderness