The newly designated Sand to Snow National Monument creates and protects a natural habitat link between California's San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park. These three areas together represent one of the most biologically diverse natural areas in the continental US, containing bioregions ranging from the Sonoran and Mojave deserts to the sub alpine high peaks of the traverse range including San Gorgonio Peak. Because of the 'island geography' of the region, many unique and rare species have evolved and adapted here, many of which are now federally and state listed as endangered and threatened.
The area represents a region of outstanding universal value for its biological diversity, and qualifies under UNESCO's criteria X as a World Heritage Site.