How We Work on BLM Lands
BLM Lands
From Utah's canyon country to Colorado's Vermillion Basin, the lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are some of America’s most valued places for recreation, scientific research and wilderness.
These western American lands are at risk when the BLM does not manage them in a way that protects, conserves and balances how they are used. Our work aims to ensure the BLM manages the land wisely.
Why Bureau of Land Management lands
The BLM oversees more land than any other government agency, including the National Forest or National Park Service. All together the BLM manages:
- Over 245 million acres
- 27 million-acre National Landscape Conservation System
- 700 million acres of minerals, like oil, gas and coal that are found beneath the surface
A 1976 law (the Federal Land Policy and Management Act or FLPMA) requires that the BLM manage these lands for a variety of uses, including:
- Recreation
- Protection of natural, cultural and historical resources
- Energy development
- Livestock grazing
- Fish and wildlife habitat
How we work on BLM lands
Lands controlled by the BLM face unparalleled threats from oil and gas drilling, unchecked off-road vehicle use and other destructive activities. These pressures will only intensify as the BLM amends dozens of resource management plans across the West. Local input and citizen involvement in the process will make a difference. Our research, analysis and legal expertise help train citizens and keep pressure on the BLM to limit threats to our shared lands.
BLM planning
The Bureau of Land Management is developing land use plans to determine how regional BLM field offices manage millions of acres for the next 20 years.
BLM protection
Our western lands face increased pressure from climate change, population growth, misuse and energy development, so it is more important than ever to put in place plans that protect some of America’s last great wild lands and wildlife for future generations.
BLM Conservation Lands
Some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and most valuable natural and cultural treasures can be found in the National Landscape Conservation System (Conservation Lands).
BLM lands FAQs
Have more questions about the Bureau of Land Management? Our BLM Lands FAQs can help.
Notes from the Hill
Stay current on legislation moving in Congress, issues affecting wilderness and wilderness designation campaigns with our Notes from the Hill.
Take Action
Add your voice to important wilderness causes and take action to stop threats to our wildlands by joining our community of wilderness activists.
Policy and Science Library
Find fact sheets, reports and other resources related to wilderness policy and conservation.
Thursday, May 16, 2013Visit us in the Eco-Village at this summer’s Dave Matthews Band concerts.
Thursday, May 16, 2013It is a haven for geology lovers as water and erosion has exposed millions of years of deposited sedimentary rock. Recreationists of all kinds are awed by its natural sculptures: rock formations, canyons, mesas and gorges.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013A new rule will protect proposed renewable energy sites from conflicting mining development on public lands in the Western states, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said at the end of April.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013Yet, here we are, with people and the government unable to stop furloughs, job losses, and lower revenue to keep the government functioning. Our public lands have certainly not been spared from this indiscriminate budget ax.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013But Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski refused to accept that decision. She and residents of the tiny community of King Cove are fighting to have the decision overturned.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013Birdwatchers travel from far and wide to northwest Colorado to see male sage-grouse strut their stuff in hopes of attracting a mate. Early spring is prime season to catch these timid grouse dancing on the lek and shaking their tail feathers through organized tours.
Expanding energy development to meet the growing needs of America must be balanced with protecting vital wild places.
The Wilderness Society has launched a new quarterly report "By The Numbers" to track how many acres of American land have been protected by Congress and the Executive branch, and how many acres have been leased out to energy development.
April 24, 2013
Dear Senator:
In 2012, the Bureau of Land Management released Manual 6330, which replaced the agency's longstanding policy for management of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), known as the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (IMP). Manual 6330 does not provide for designation of new WSAs, but it does require more protective management for existing WSAs than the IMP.
Friday, May 17, 2013A draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and Dominguez Canyon Wilderness near Grand Junction, CO would improve land management efforts and provide a sustainable path for the area over the next 20 years.
Thursday, May 16, 2013The Wilderness Society today applauded the U.S. Senate for passing the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act (S. 241) – sponsored by Tom Udall (D-NM) and co-sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) – would protect as wilderness roughly 13,500 acres of the Cerro del Yuta and 8,000 acres of the Rio San Antonio areas.
Thursday, May 16, 2013The Wilderness Society today applauded the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for passing the Pine Forest Range Recreation Enhancement Act out of committee.