Meet the US's newest national park, Chiricahua |
Meet the US’s newest national park, Chiricahua
(NEXSTAR) – America has a new national park, bringing the nation’s tally of true national parks to 64.
President Trump on Tuesday signed H.R. 6380, redesignating Chiricahua National Monument as the Chiricahua National Park.
Chiricahua is located about two hours east of Tucson in the southeast corner of Arizona, not far from Saguaro National Park, within the historical territory of the Chiricahua Apache tribes.
“Chiricahua’s towering rock spires, rich Apache heritage and remarkable biodiversity make it one of America’s most extraordinary landscapes,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a press release. “This new designation will shine a national spotlight on one of Arizona’s hidden gems, creating opportunities to welcome more visitors, strengthen local economies and share this incredible landscape with more Americans.”
The site, sometimes referred to as the “Wonderland of Rocks,” was designated as a national monument in 1924, preserving the “rugged volcanic landscape, diverse wildlife, and cultural history” found within its roughly 12,000 acres. Elevating Chiricahua to national park status “reflects the national significance of the area’s natural and cultural resources and the longstanding efforts to conserve them,” Interior Department officials........