To preserve and protect land
in its natural condition for
solitude or a primitive
unconfined type of recreation
where Earth and it’s
community of life are
untrammeled by man

All “wilderness” areas
are part of one of the
other federal agencies
that manage public land
(BLM, NPS, USFS, or
USFWS)

Scenic, hiking,
backcountry
camping

Absolutely NO
resource use (no
logging, grazing,
hunting or mining).
No mechanized
equipment allowed
(ATV’s, guns etc).

107 million acres
total (all land is
part of BLM, NPS,
USFS, or
USFWS). 756
separate areas.

To work with others to
conserve, protect and
enhance fish, wildlife and
plants and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the
American people

Fish and Wildlife Refuges

Hunting and fishing,
wetlands
restoration, fish and
migratory bird
population
restoration and
support

Highly protected. No timber harvesting or mining

93 million acres
in 520+ refuges

To sustain the health,
diversity and productivity of
the nation’s forest and
grasslands to meet the needs
of present and future
generations

The Dept. of Agriculture

“Land of Many Uses”
was the motto for
50+ years. Logging,
mining, grazing and
recreation are
allowed

Population pyramid

193 million acres

To preserve, unimpaired, the
natural and cultural resources
and values of the national
park system for the
enjoyment, education and
inspiration of this and future
generations

National Parks

Use varies
tremendously with
each park – can be
scenic, historical
may have ski areas
or hotels etc.

Most parks are highly
protected. Generally
no extraction of
resources (such as
mining, hunting,
fishing, logging etc.)

84 million acres

To sustain the health,
diversity and productivity of
the public lands for the use
and enjoyment of present
and future generations

The Dept. of the Interior
under the direction of
the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of
1976

Full resource use
and extraction with
permits, and all
types of recreation

Death rate, birth rate, total population

258 million acres