public lands

usually protected from logging, farming,

mining, and development.

•1872 – Yellowstone became the 1st National park

•50 national parks in US today.

1. 40%40% of all US. land is publicly owned & managed by federal, state, & local governments.

2. Multiple-use Multiple-use managementmanagement

designed to provide the greatest value for the greatest number

of people

ADVANTAGE: Public Land can be used by

private companies for logging, mining and

recreation.

DISADVANTAGE:DISADVANTAGE:Different ideas about howDifferent ideas about how land should land should be usedbe used

causes causes battlesbattles.

conservatioconservationistnist

developerdeveloper

3. Government agencies that manage land:

a. National Parks Systemb. U.S. Forest Servicec. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviced. Bureau of Land Management(largest amount of landlargest amount of land)

Wilderness Act of 1964 Wilderness Act of 1964 an area in which the an area in which the

land & the ecosystems land & the ecosystems it supports are it supports are

protected from all protected from all developmentdevelopment

found within several of nation’s public land systems

open to hiking,fishing,boating (without motor),

and camping

•Footsteps trample and erode soil

•Bathing and dishwashing pollute streams

•TRASH!

•Limited # of people can hike/camp at a time

•Off-limits areas•Volunteers clean up and maintain

areas.

May 31 – June 8, 2008

• This in not on test but just good to know.• VERP

(Did you say excuse me?)

• Actually VERP stands for Visitor Experience and Resource Protection.

• It is in current use in many national and state parks throughout the U.S. and now spreading to many countries in Europe.

• Anyone interested in organizing a cleanup effort in their area is encouraged to call for a registration form from America Outdoors® at (865) 558-3595. Registering your cleanup is free.

May 31 – June 8, 2008