Our Public Land Managers Are Essential To Our Recreation Enjoyment
Our Public Land Management Agencies in the United States have an essential role in our enjoyment of the outdoors because they manage the national forests, parks, monuments, wilderness areas and other public lands that we love.
These government organizations build and maintain trails, designated campsites, visitor centers and other facilities. They create maps, brochures, signage and can offer other critical information that can help us plan our backpacking and hiking trips. They offer historical and nature education programs, outdoor safety information, and help visitors understand the importance of Leave No Trace principles. They may also perform search and rescue operations in the event of a survival situation where hikers are lost or injured in the wilderness.
Our land managers control erosion, plant trees, and stock our lakes, rivers and streams with fish. In nature wild animals can be dangerous and in some areas they are very active in managing and protecting the wildlife from negative human interactions as well as protecting the humans from any wildlife that are aggressively threatening campers or hikers.
Everyone has a part to play in protecting our treasured public lands but we truly owe much gratitude to our land managers who play such an essential stewardship role in protecting our public lands.
Our Public Government Land Management Agencies
US National Park Service Manages the 392 recreation areas and parks that comprises our National Park System.
US Forest Service Manages 193 million acres of land that make up our National forests and grasslands.
US Bureau of Land Management Manages 256 million acres of public lands mostly in the Western United States and Alaska.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Manages over 150 million acres of 551 areas that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System as well as other special management areas.
US Bureau of Reclamation Areas include roughly 6.5 million acres of land and water most of which is available for public outdoor recreation within 289 Bureau of Reclamation project areas with 249 recreation sites.
Don't forget about your State Land Management Agencies who manage public lands such as your local State Forests.
