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America’s Public Lands
A Legacy for All of Us
The story of America’s public lands is one of both ambition and evolution. In the early years of the United States, vast western territories were viewed primarily as resources to be sold, settled, or developed. But as the frontier closed and the nation grew, a new vision emerged which recognized the value of conserving our landscapes for future generations.
1872 marked a turning point with the creation of Yellowstone as the world’s first national park. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, signaling the beginning of a uniquely American idea: that certain lands should be held in trust for all people, not just a privileged few. Over time, the federal government expanded this vision, establishing the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, the National Park Service in 1916, and later, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage and protect our growing public lands.
Through landmark legislation like the Antiquities Act of 1906, the Wilderness Act of 1964, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), Congress further shaped a public land system rooted in multiple use, conservation, and public access.
Today, roughly 640 million acres of land are managed by federal agencies on behalf of the American people. These are the places where native wildlife species thrive and generations come to hike, hunt, camp, fish, and connect with the great outdoors.
But this legacy is not guaranteed. It requires a shared commitment to keeping public lands public: for the people, for wildlife, and for our future.
Key Federal Threats to Public Lands |
Today, one of the most serious threats facing our public lands is the misguided effort to sell them off or transfer them to state ownership. While sometimes framed as a matter of local control or efficiency, these proposals open the door to widespread privatization, development, and permanent loss of public access and ownership. Some federal lawmakers attempt to circumvent the legal and public-facing processes in place that allow for the transfer or sale of lands, when appropriate. Taking shortcuts around existing laws like the FLPMA undermines a core democratic principle: that these lands are owned by the American people who have the right to have a say in how they are managed or sold. States also lack the resources and capacity to manage large tracts of land for public benefit and history shows that once transferred, these lands are often sold off to the highest bidder. What begins as a transfer can quickly become a sell-off without opportunity for public input. At the federal level, we are seeing increasing attempts to weaken bedrock environmental laws, sideline science, reduce or remove opportunities for public input, and prioritize short-term commercial interests over the long-term benefits of our public lands. Other threats to public lands include:
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Recent & Pending Federal Legislation
Over the past few years, we've seen both encouraging and deeply concerning legislation impacting public lands introduced in Congress. Pro-public lands bills like America’s Outdoor Recreation Act and efforts to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund seek to strengthen protections and expand access. On the other hand, various legislative measures have been introduced or attempted that would authorize or facilitate the transfer of federal lands to states, weaken environmental review, fast-track energy development with minimal oversight, or negatively impact federal land management agencies from performing their important work, like preventing wildfires, protecting watersheds, and conserving endangered species. Staying engaged in this legislative process is crucial. The Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF) monitors federal actions closely and works with partners at the state and national level to support legislation that aligns with our mission and to oppose policies that put public lands or your access to them at risk.
Current Legislative Threats:
A dangerous proposal to sell off approximately half a million acres of public land in Utah and Nevada was recently included in a federal budget reconciliation bill — without any opportunity for public input. Thanks to widespread public outcry and strong advocacy by conservation and sporting organizations, the House version of the bill moved forward without the land sell-off amendment. Unfortunately the Senate now plans to include the sale of public lands in their version of the budget reconciliation bill. If these sell-offs are included in the final bill, it would set a dangerous precedent for the future of public lands in Arizona and other states.
Keep the Public in Public Lands: Tell Your Legislators You Don't Want Them Sold Off
Fact: Public Lands CAN Be Sold or Transferred Under Existing Law
While the vast majority of federal public lands are meant to remain in public hands, there are legal mechanisms for selling or transferring small parcels and they’ve existed for decades. These disposals typically happen under laws like the FLPMA, which gives the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) authority to sell lands that are deemed isolated, uneconomic to manage, or better suited for private ownership.
These sales must go through a rigorous public process:
- The land must first be identified in a land-use plan as potentially suitable for disposal.
- Environmental and public interest assessments are required.
- Local governments, Tribal Nations, and the public are given the opportunity to provide input.
- Sales must be conducted through competitive bidding, with fair market value required.
The intent behind this process is to ensure transparency, public benefit, and accountability.
The AWF Approach
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At the Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF), we are committed to ensuring that these lands remain protected for future generations. Through our work, we raise awareness about the importance of public lands, wildlife and wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation access through public education campaigns. We actively collaborate with lawmakers, educating legislators and decision-makers to promote policies that protect public lands and natural resources. AWF also organizes hands-on conservation projects that improve and restore habitats on public lands, ensuring they remain healthy and vibrant. Finally, we engage with all stakeholders, fostering respectful, solution-driven discussions to find common ground on public land use.
LEARN MORE
| POLL: 65 PERCENT OF WESTERNERS OPPOSE GIVING STATES CONTROL OF FEDERAL LAND A survey of both Republicans and Democrats in eight Western states shows that most American voters there oppose transferring federal lands to the states. A full 89 percent of voters wanted to keep National Monument designations in place. |
These Lands Belong to You.
| Arizona Wildlife Federation PO Box 1182, Mesa, AZ 85211 The Arizona Wildlife Federation is a Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. EIN# 86-0076994 |
