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.
Friday, May 24, 2013The U.S. Coast Guard began multi-day investigatory hearings on May 20 into Royal Dutch Shell's drilling rig the Kulluk, which went aground near Kodiak Island, Alaska, last New Year’s Eve.
Thursday, May 23, 2013Which is why this week legislation that would protect these lands was introduced yet again, granting these lands another opportunity for well-deserved recognition and conservation.
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.
Members of the Western Clean Energy Advocates (WCEA), signed a letter encouraging Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to to sign SB 252, to increase the renewable energy portfolio standard for rural electric providers
. WCEA is a diverse and growing coalition working to transform the way we produce, use, and distribute energy across the West. WCEA aims to create jobs, protect the West’s water, wildlife, and ecosystems, address climate change, and enhance energy security.
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.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013Witness testimony today by Noble’s Offshore Installation Manager Todd Case as he was questioned by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the Kulluk drill rig -- which Shell attempted to tow across the Gulf of Alaska with a single tow vessel before it broke loose and ran aground last New Year’s Eve -- should have had multiple tow vessels for safe transport.
Case was aboard the Kulluk when it went adrift and ran aground on a small island south of Kodiak.
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.