Public Lands Stewardship of the lands and wild places God has entrusted to our care is both a critical part of our call to protect creation and a responsibility shared by all citizens. This is particularly true in the case of our national network of public lands, which embodies the ideals of cooperation, community, equitable sharing of Earth's bounty, utilizing the blessings of the land for the common good, and preserving the stunning landscapes and irreplaceable wildlife entrusted to our care. If managed conscientiously, public lands help us answer God's call to equality among people by providing shared resources that nurture our communities. In a world broken by strife and pollution, public lands offer beautiful places to heal and invigorate the soul, which can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life for generations to come. They also help to sustain the glorious web of creation by providing habitat for wildlife and protecting God's dynamic natural systems, such as watersheds and migration routes. Lands, wilderness, and open spaces have always been central to the Judeo-Christian tradition, playing a vital role in the spiritual journeys of Biblical peoples from Moses to Jesus Christ. Lands are also an essential part of God's creation. Through them, God nourishes life; provides the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and human communities; supplies blessings of sustenance like soil, water, timber and minerals; and offers natural space for prayer and spiritual renewal. As a nation, we recognize and celebrate these blessings in the 623 million acres of public lands nationwide. These include our national parks and forests, wilderness and conservation areas, wildlife refuges, and other lands held in the public trust. The Lay of the Land From towering mountains to majestic forests to the wide-open fields that provide food for our tables, God's lands are an integral part of creation. Lands and wilderness provide refuge for the body and soul, offer blessings of sustenance like soil and water, and serve as stunning reminders of God's power and grace in our lives. But many of these lands - and the life that depends on them - are endangered by human negligence and abuse. Even special places like national forests and conservation areas are threatened by overzealous oil, gas, and mineral development; irresponsible grazing practices; urban and suburban sprawl; and careless off-road vehicle use. As these threats to God's gifts become more pronounced, our call to become educated and involved becomes more immediate. Exploring Public Lands In addition to well-known and loved public lands like Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, there are thousands of acres of public lands nationwide that are just as spectacular as the higher profile (and more crowded) National Parks. Chances are, you have a National Conservation Area, Wilderness Area, Scenic Trail, Wildlife Refuge, or other publicly managed area near you. To learn more visit: The National Landscape Conservation System Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this network of spectacular areas includes 15 National Monuments, 15 National Conservation Areas, and 23 million acres of Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas. Click here for more information, or visit The National Landscape Conservation System and The NLCS Coalition Homepage. Track NLCS Legislation in Congress The National Wildlife Refuge System Maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, our network of National Wildlife Refuges is designed for management, conservation, and restoration of wildlife, fish, and plant species. For more information, visit The National Wildlife Refuge System. For more information on our Biodiversity initiative, click here. Focus On: The West Although public lands and wilderness are sprinkled across the United States, the majority of our federal public lands are concentrated in the West. In fact, the federal government controls over half of all land in western states. Even in areas where land is locally owned, the federal government may control resources under the surface such as oil, natural gas, minerals, and water. In a region where the land is deeply embedded in the lives of people and the health of ecosystems, tension and conflict over the land is inevitable. But - with careful discernment and faithful management - so is hope. Read More….