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(California News Service) This week, more than 100 Californians are in Cali, Columbia, for the 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity.

Tribes, policymakers and conservation groups are promoting national monument status for three sites in the Golden State.

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Lena Ortega, a Kw'tsan cultural committee member for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, wants federal protection for the proposed Kw'tsan National Monument in Imperial County.

"The movement to save the environment isn't a choice for us," Ortega explained. "It's a matter of survival and our past healings are intertwined with that of Mother Earth. We are the land. The land is us."

California has already lost more than 20 percent of its native species and more than 600 species are considered threatened with extinction.

Asm. Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, said California is working hard to achieve the goal to protect 30 percent of state and federal land and waters by the year 2030.

"California is home to more native plants, animals, and more invasive species, than any other state," Haney pointed out.

Brandy McDaniels, Sattitla National Monument Campaign lead for the Pit River Tribe, said time is running out for the administration to declare the Sattitla National Monument in northeastern California.

"With less than three months left in President Biden's term, now is the time for the president to use his authority by designating Sattitla as a national monument for all future generations," McDaniels urged.

Tribes are also calling for a new Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California near Joshua Tree National Park.