Even though we live 6,512 feet above sea level, we should all be celebrating President Barack Obama’s designation this week of the world’s largest marine reserve by expanding the Pacific Remote Islands National Monument.

This amazing marine ecosystem is home to more than 240 undersea mountains and provides critical habitat for endangered sea turtles, marine mammals, millions of seabirds and large predatory fish. Up to half the creatures that live there are found nowhere else on Earth.

Before moving to Durango two years ago, I had never lived more than a mile from the ocean – from Maine to Alaska to Hawaii – and as a parent of two young boys, I am proud to know the president has taken action to protect incredible marine treasures, both known and yet to be discovered, for all of us.

Beth Poole

Durango