Public Lands
Public Lands
The national lands conservation campaign builds on Sierra Club’s long history of advocating for more parks and other protected public lands for the benefit of people and nature. Land conservation is an integral component to solving both the extinction and climate crises, increasing equitable access to nature, and ensuring everyone’s history and connections to U.S. lands are honored and celebrated.
Sawtooth National Recreation Area
What are public lands?
Public lands are outdoor spaces and historic sites that are overseen by government agencies for the public. These places are also the homelands of many Indigenous peoples. More and more, Tribal nations are collaborating with government agencies as part of their continued stewardship of these landscapes.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees 245 million acres of lands and waters across the United States, making it the largest land-management agency in the country. These lands are critical to wildlife, water, cultural resource protection, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience.
Grizzly Bears in Grand Teton National Park
Why are public lands important?
These lands provide open space and clean water for our communities, critical habitats for native plants and animals, and connections to our history and culture. They are also the last stronghold for many threatened ecosystems and species such as bears, bison, caribou, and other wildlife that need room to roam. They provide our families with the opportunities to get outside together and create lifelong memories while also being part of a critical climate solution by storing carbon pollution.
840M
40%
of the US is public land
Our Publicly Managed Lands Are Still At Risk
The majority of our public lands do not have ANY form of protection from development or extractive industries. Only the vigilant support of the people and organizations that work to protect and preserve these lands will ensure that they stay open for all.
Victory!
Sierra Club Florida Chapter Saves Our State Parks
In August 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis’ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) quietly rolled out a plan that would have bulldozed nine Florida state parks - literally. The Florida Chapter jumped into action and generated so much outrage that Governor DeSantis directed his DEP to drop the plan.
What We Are Doing
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Sierra Club chapters and volunteers are supporting locally and Tribally led efforts across the country to urge decision makers to protect our treasured public lands through administrative actions like monuments, mineral withdrawals, and other conservation designations and through legislation in Congress. We are also committed to fighting harmful legislation and projects.
Federal lands offer the largest opportunity for conservation gains. Both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Forest Service (USFS) are ripe with potential. We focus our efforts to conserve these lands through:
- National Monument designations
- Bans on oil and gas development
- New Roadless Area protections
Protecting wild places will keep drilling and logging from polluting our environment air, and suck existing climate pollution out of the air. These lands provide natural protection from extreme weather, homes for wildlife, and opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors together. The Sierra Club is committed to our legacy of safeguarding lands, water and wildlife for all as we work to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030.
What You Can Do
Protect Grand Canyon's Water: Help Close Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine
Petition opposing Pinyon Plain Mine
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