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Home > Programs and Policy > Habitat Conservation > Federal Lands > National Forests and BLM Lands

National Forests and BLM Lands

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administer over 400 million of acres of magnificent landscapes and diverse ecosystems, which support an incredible array of fish, wildlife and plants including key habitat for iconic animals such as antelope, bison, bighorn sheep and elk.

Our public lands provide wildlife with safe havens from rapid development on private lands, but even on our national forests and BLM lands wildlife face threats from poorly planned logging and energy production, as well the risks associated with a changing climate.  The loss of fish and wildlife populations on public lands ripples through the ecosystem, and represents risk to clean water, recreational opportunities and other important benefits provided by these public lands.

Defenders Comments on New Forest Planning Rule


Defenders of Wildlife is working hard on Capitol Hill to pass America's Wildlife Heritage Act  -- key legislation that provides essential steps for sustaining wildlife on our national forests. But the Obama administration can act now to ensure that regulations governing the management of our national forests contain strong provisions to sustain our wildlife and protect and restore the habitat they depend on. Defenders submitted comments to the Forest Service to ensure that the new regulations:

  • use sound science in forest planning
  • allow the Forest Service to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change in order to maintain sustainable wildlife populations and forest ecosystems; and
  • emphasize the importance of public participation in forest planning.

Read the full comments >>

Our Public Land Priorities

Defenders has a vision for effective wildlife and resource management on federal lands. Below is a blueprint for public lands priorities Defenders is working to have enacted over the next several years.

  • Restore environmental review of federal lands management by fully implementing the National Environmental Policy Act
  • Support administrative action and legislation to maintain viable wildlife populations on National Forest and BLM lands.
  • Fully protect all remaining roadless areas on national forests and other public lands
  • Fully consider the impact of global warming on wildlife and habitats on federal lands and incorporate measures to assist wildlife adaptation to global warming in federal land management plans.
  • Ensure that energy development on federal lands and waters does not harm crucial wildlife habitats.

Legal Cases

Defenders also uses the courts to protect our nation’s forests, parks,wildlife refuges, and other public lands. Our expert attorneys are currently working on cases to support strong forest management plans.

Public Lands Case >>

Protecting Wildlife

Our public lands are incredibly rich and diverse, providing key habitat for nearly 3,000 wildlife and 10,000 plant species, many of which are rare and/or imperiled. Defenders protects many species dependent on public lands.

Wildlife on Public Lands >>

America's Wildlife Heritage Act

America’s Wildlife Heritage Act, will require the Forest Service and BLM to maintain wildlife populations on public lands for the benefit of current and future generations.

Learn More >>

America's Public Lands Legacy

The United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administer 449 million acres of land – 20% of the land area of the U.S. – and play an essential role in protecting the nation’s wildlife and plant species.

Learn More >>

Unmatched Recreational Opportunities

Our public lands offer limitless recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to hang gliding. Recreation on public lands also bolsters local economies.

Learn More >>