English: The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument was expanded via proclamation from President Obama on Jan. 12, 2017, making the new monument approximately 112,000 acres.

The southwest Oregon monument is located at the crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath and Siskiyou mountain ranges. The monument is an ecological wonder, home to an incredible variety of rare and endemic plant and animal species, and representing a rich mosaic of forests, grasslands, shrub lands, and wet meadows at the convergence of the three mountain ranges.

When established in 2000 by President Clinton, it was the first monument designated solely for the preservation of its biodiversity.

The expansion consists of approximately 42,000 acres in Oregon and 5,000 acres across the border in California.

To read more about the forming of the unique landscape, or the plant and wildlife diversity, and the Native American significance of the area, see the full presidential proclamation: bit.ly/2jgFk8g

Contact info for the local Medford District Office: 3040 Biddle Rd. Medford, OR 97504 phone: 541-618-2200 email: BLM_OR_MD_Mail@blm.gov

Photos captured Dec. 28-29, 2016, by Bob Wick, BLM