Concerns Rose Over Avi Kwa Ame National Monument

Supporters fear potential boundary reductions and staffing shortages at the Nevada site.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a rugged desert landscape with jagged rocks under a vast sky, representing Nevada's national monument land. — Supporters of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada are concerned that potential boundary reductions and staffing shortages could threaten the site. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the federal government prioritize maintaining existing national monument boundaries?

Supporters of Nevada's Avi Kwa Ame National Monument expressed concerns that the Trump administration may reduce the site's boundaries. The monument, spanning more than 500,000 acres, faces maintenance hurdles following significant staff cuts at the Bureau of Land Management.

Why it matters

Recent personnel reductions at the Department of the Interior have limited federal oversight and maintenance capacity. Advocacy groups now worry the federal government could shrink the monument, mirroring past actions taken in other states.

Avi Kwa Ame covers over 500,000 acres of land including Spirit Mountain and Walking Box Ranch. Following the departure of 800 Bureau of Land Management workers, the site remains open to the public only during volunteer-hosted events.

The players

Bureau of Land Management

This federal agency manages public lands and oversees the maintenance and access of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument.

Friends of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument

This volunteer organization coordinates site maintenance and facilitates public access to the monument.

Department of the Interior

This executive department oversees the management of federal land, national parks, and wildlife refuges across the United States.

National Park Service

This agency manages national monuments and parks and saw significant personnel reductions in early 2025.

The details

Volunteers from the Friends of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument have stepped in to perform site maintenance and keep access roads clear. The monument remains open to public visitation only on the first Saturday of each month when these volunteer events are held at Walking Box Ranch.

In February 2025, the Trump administration terminated 2,300 Department of the Interior staff.
Walking Box Ranch remains open to the public on the first Saturday of each month.

Roadmap

The potential reduction of Avi Kwa Ame follows the pattern set by the reduction of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah. These previous actions saw those sites reduced by 90%, establishing a precedent that now informs concerns regarding Nevada's public lands.

Visitors should note that the monument is currently only accessible to the public during scheduled events hosted by volunteers. Because federal patrolling is limited, travelers should confirm the status of Walking Box Ranch access before planning a trip to the Searchlight area.

The takeaway

The management of public monuments often relies heavily on both federal oversight and consistent volunteer participation. Residents and visitors interested in the preservation of the monument may need to monitor future federal land use announcements for potential changes to access or boundaries.