Sand to Snow

About Sand to Snow

Sand to Snow National Monument protects a remarkable elevation gradient from the Sonoran Desert floor to the peaks of San Bernardino National Forest, encompassing one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Managed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the monument preserves critical wildlife corridors and habitat for desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and numerous other species. The area spans from 1,000 to over 10,000 feet in elevation, creating dramatic landscape transitions from desert scrub to alpine forests. This biodiversity hotspot provides essential connectivity between protected areas and serves as a living laboratory for studying climate change impacts.