Honoring and Protecting America’s Treasured Public Lands and Waterways
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of a category of public lands called National Conservation Lands. These are the landscapes between more familiar public lands like national parks and forests that safeguard our clean air and water, support the outdoor recreation economy, sustain the culture of Indigenous peoples, and preserve national treasures rich in culture and natural beauty.
These are the people’s lands and are managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Today, National Conservation Lands—906 units spanning more than 38 million acres—continue to provide unparalleled opportunities for personal adventure and connection. They also support ecosystems essential to our healthy water sources, wildlife habitats, and the biodiversity that we need for our very existence.
From breathtaking deserts to wild and scenic rivers and rugged mountain ranges, these landscapes are an enduring gift for future generations.
Learn more about National Conservation Lands
As we mark this monumental milestone, we invite you to celebrate with us! Across the country, our Friends Grassroots Network—a coalition of more than 80 community-based organizations—is hosting events, stewardship projects, hikes, and educational programs to honor National Conservation Lands.
The best way to celebrate 25 years of conservation is to be a part of it! Whether you join a cleanup, attend a guided hike, or support local advocacy efforts, your participation will be fun and help ensure these lands remain protected for generations to come.
Find an event near you and be part of the movement. Together, we can honor the past, celebrate the present, and protect the future of National Conservation Lands.
Jurassic National Monument is part of the Bureau of Land Management's National Conservation Lands system, which protect some of the most essential and spectacular natural, cultural, and archaeological places in the country.
Standing sentinel on California's rugged coastline along scenic Highway One, this historic lighthouse first illuminated the coastline in 1875.
The protection and stewardship of the National Conservation Lands wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated efforts of local communities and tribes. Our Friends Grassroots Network plays a vital role in:
Get involved—connect with Friends Grassroots Network organizations near you!
I’m Spokespebble – a nature-loving hunk of million-year-old sedimentary rock and the official voice of the Respect. Connect. Protect. Campaign. I’m here to help you plan ahead, stay safe, and be awesome whenever you visit National Conservation Lands and all public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
