President Obama Designates the World's Largest Marine Protected Area

"Today, President Obama expanded the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument off the coast of Hawaii to encompass more than half a million square miles — making it the world's largest marine protected area. Home to more than 7,000 marine mammals, some of them critically endangered, the monument will also permanently protect pristine coral reefs, deep sea marine habitats, and important ecological resources.

Here’s what you need to know:

History

The monument was originally created in 2006 by President George W. Bush and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.  Since that time, new scientific exploration and research has revealed new species and deep sea habitats as well as important ecological connections between the existing monument and the adjacent waters..."
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

America's Newest National Monuments

"President Obama has taken unprecedented action to invest and conserve America's natural treasures. The natural and cultural richness of our national parks, monuments, forest, and public lands are an important reflections of our environmental responsibility and the legacy we leave to future generations. That is why this President has protected more than 265 million acres of land and water – more than any other president in history.

Today, he's adding a few million acres more.

Today, he will designated three new national monuments in the California desert: Mojave Trails National Monument, Sand to Snow National Monument, and Castle Mountains National Monument. 

These designations encompass nearly 1.8 million acres and nearly double the number of acres of public lands that he's previously protected. Take a look and find out a bit more about our nation's newest national monuments..."
National monuments