What are Public Lands?

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - 38%

BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Congress tasked the BLM with a mandate of managing public lands for a variety of uses such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use. National Conservation Areas, like Red Rock Canyon, are managed by BLM.

U.S. Forest Service (USFS) - 30%

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. USFS manages national forests and grasslands, provides technical and financial assistance to state, private, and tribal forestry agencies, and is the largest forestry research organization in the world. Originally established to provide quality water and timber for the nation’s benefit, Congress later directed USFS to broaden its management scope for additional multiple uses and benefits and for the sustained yield of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood, and recreation.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - 14.5%

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with others, is responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people through Federal programs relating to migratory birds, endangered species, interjurisdictional fish and marine mammals, and inland sport fisheries. USFWS is charged with enforcing Federal Wildlife Laws and Protecting Endangered Species as part of its vision of a future where people and nature thrive in an interconnected way and where every community feels part of and committed to the natural world around us. All national wildlife refuges are managed by USFWS.

National Park Service (NPS) - 12.5%

NPS preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. NPS cooperates with partners - many of whom are PLA Members - to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. NPS manages more than the iconic 63 National Parks. In fact, there are hundreds of sites designated as National Parks, including national preserves, monuments, memorials, historic sites, seashores, and battlefield parks.

National Parks & Preserves

National Wildlife Refuges

Created in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Refuge System has grown to more than 570 sites. With at least one wildlife refuge in every state and U.S. territory (and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities), refuges offer urbanites and so many others a chance to connect to nature.

National Conservation Areas

Like national parks, national conservation areas are designated by Congress and feature scientific, cultural, historical, and recreational features. 

In addition to national conservation areas, national conservation lands include certain national monuments, wildernesses, wilderness study areas, wild and scenic rivers, and national scenic and historic trails.

National Monuments

National monuments protect a specific natural, cultural, or historic feature of the United States.

Since 1906, 120 national monuments have been created, and they can be managed by any of seven different agencies -- either individually or jointly.

National Forests & Grasslands

The Forest Service manages 154 National Forests and 20 National Grasslands covering 193 million acres in 44 states, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Nearly 70% of Americans live within 100 miles of a National Forest. 

Did you know? The National Forest System was created to protect our nation's largest source of freshwater. Today, millions of Americans depend on National Forests every time they turn on the tap.  

Wilderness Areas

Wilderness areas can be part of national parks, national wildlife refuges, or public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There are more than 800 wilderness areas that protect over 110 million acres in 44 states.

The Bureau of Land Management also has 487 Wilderness Study Areas -- lands unspoiled by roads or other development that provide outstanding opportunities for solitude. 

National Historic Sites

National historic sites (like Lincoln Home in Illinois or Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama) contain a single historical feature, but national historical parks (like Independence National Historical Park) uplift multiple stories from different time periods.

Over half the national park locations preserve places and commemorate people, events, and activities that are key to our nation’s history. No matter the name, these places tell iconic American stories that define who we are and what we stand for. 

National Memorials

National memorials are sites that commemorate a historical person or tragic event. While many national memorials are located in or near the District of Columbia, several others are scattered across the country. One of the most recognizable is Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 

National Battlefields

There are several titles used for battlefields -- national military park, national battlefield park, national battlefield site, and national battlefield -- but they all conserve our nation's military history. Protecting places like Shiloh National Military Park or Cowpens National Battlefield ensures that Americans can learn from our past.

National Recreation Areas

National recreation areas are lands near large reservoirs that offer visitors a chance to experience water-based outdoor activities -- from swimming and kayaking to fishing and boating. The U.S. has a total of 40 national recreation areas, which are managed either by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.

Wild & Scenic Rivers

Wild and scenic rivers preserve rivers and the land surrounding them in their natural state -- providing Americans with great outdoor recreation. In total, Wild and Scenic Rivers has protected more than 200 rivers in 35 states and Puerto Rico.

National Seashores & Lakeshores

National seashores and national lakeshores preserve shorelines and some surrounding islands. While national lakeshores can be on any natural freshwater lake, the four existing national lakeshores are all on the Great Lakes. The 10 national seashores are on America's three coasts: Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific.

National Trails

National trails fall into one of three groups: scenic, historic, and recreation. Congress designates national scenic trails (Appalachian) and historic trails (Pony Express), while the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture designates national recreation trails in response to an application from the managing agency or organization.