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.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013The effort is part of a trio of bad drilling bills resurfacing in the House this week, proving that while Congress has its wilderness champions, it also has its share of wilderness foes who just won't quit when it comes to legislation that attacks wildlands
Tuesday, May 21, 2013Despite decades of Americans saying “no” to oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska’s governor has proposed a plan that includes seismic testing and exploratory drilling in the very heart of the refuge – the coastal plain.
Monday, May 20, 2013The Forest Service proposed a ban last year on horizontal drilling, also known as fracking. Their decision will determine how this forest is managed for at least the next decade.
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.
Smart Steps to Establish a Responsible Program for Renewable Energy on Public Lands
Since its first day in office, the Obama Administration has made rapid and responsible expansion of renewable energy a top priority. The public lands have played a major role in achieving early goals, but only because of focused effort to correct decades of inattention and inactivity toward developing renewable energy as a major component of the nation’s energy mix.
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:
Tuesday, May 21, 2013U.S. Representatives Don Young and Doc Hastings have introduced H.R. 1964 in an effort to scrap the Department of the Interior’s recently finalized, comprehensive plan for the western Arctic’s National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, the nation’s largest tract of public land. The bill is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow on Capitol Hill.
Monday, May 20, 2013Identifying smart steps the Obama Administration, including the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management, can take to continue building a responsible program for renewable energy are part of a “blueprint for action” released by The Wilderness Society today.
Monday, May 20, 2013Gov. Sean Parnell’s plan to ask the Alaska Legislature for $50 million to look for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is incompatible with the reasons the refuge was established, and would cause significant harm to a vital and irreplaceable American landscape.