NWF View: Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands

Despite their economic, ecological and recreational importance, our public lands face persistent threats, says NWF President & CEO Collin O鈥橫ara

By Collin O鈥橫ara
Conservation
Jun 25, 2025

Visitors hike Zion National Park's West Rim Trail in Utah.

I LOVE AMERICA'S PUBLIC LANDS. So many memories with my daughters! I vividly remember Riley saving stranded horseshoe crabs at , Alana being amazed by the pronghorn migration across Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in Wyoming and my toddler Leya hugging a massive western red cedar at . These are natural treasures that make 皇冠体育app官网平台皇冠体育app官网平台.

Across the nation, our public lands comprise 640 million acres of forests, rivers, wetlands, grasslands, deserts and mountains. These lands—managed by the , , and (USFS)—offer unmatched opportunities to hike, camp, fish, hunt, paddle, watch wildlife and connect with nature.

Despite their economic and ecological importance, our public lands face persistent threats. Some states have sought large-scale transfers of federal lands. While we agree we need to improve the management of our public lands and invest more in restoration and maintenance, history shows that when states receive public lands, they routinely sell them off to balance budgets or fund other priorities. Some policymakers are proposing selling public lands to the highest bidder, which would irrevocably reduce public access and degrade wildlife habitat.

The United States is home to 63 national parks, 154 national forests, 588 wildlife refuges and 640 million acres of public federal land.

Selling off public lands would be devastating for thousands of at-risk wildlife species, millions of 皇冠体育app官网平台ns who recreate on public lands and local economies that benefit from visitors. BLM lands, largely across the West, span 245 million acres and host 80 million recreation visits each year. Among its more than 192 million acres, USFS manages 20 grasslands and 154 national forests that draw 150 million visits annually. The welcomes more than 67 million visits annually to its 572 refuges and 38 wetland districts that support birds, fish, amphibians, mammals and more.

Now more than ever, we need your help to keep our public lands in public hands. The National Wildlife Federation, our state affiliates and partners are working tirelessly to conserve and restore these lands for wildlife, clean water and the next generation of outdoor explorers. Together, let’s make clear our support for public lands. These lands are the birthright of every 皇冠体育app官网平台n. Let’s keep it that way.