This year, 2025, marks a momentous occasion for America’s public lands: the 25th anniversary of the National Conservation Lands system!
Established in 2000, this system, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), was created to conserve, protect, and restore some of the most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes across the nation, ensuring they remain for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
What are the National Conservation Lands?
The National Conservation Lands (NCL) encompass over 38 million acres across 906 units, primarily in the Western states and Alaska. This diverse network includes National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails. These aren’t just lines on a map; they are landscapes of breathtaking beauty, profound history, and vital ecological importance. From the rugged deserts and winding rivers to historic lighthouses and soaring mountain vistas, each unit within the NCL holds unique values.
Why Are They Significant?
The National Conservation Lands are invaluable for many reasons:
* Ecological Havens: They provide critical habitat for countless species of plants and animals, protect important watersheds, and serve as essential corridors for wildlife migration.
* Cultural Heritage: These lands are the ancestral homelands of Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, holding deep cultural, historic, and spiritual connections. [1] They safeguard irreplaceable archaeological sites, rock art, and other evidence of millennia of human history.
* Scientific Laboratories: The NCL offers unparalleled opportunities for scientific research in fields like geology, paleontology, archaeology, biology, and botany.
* Recreational Paradises: Millions of Americans visit these lands each year for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and experiencing the solitude of the backcountry.
* Economic Engines: National Conservation Lands support local economies, often through recreation-focused businesses and by providing working landscapes where traditional uses like grazing can coexist with conservation.
Gold Butte: Our Piece of this National Legacy
Our very own Gold Butte National Monument is a cherished part of this national system. Its nearly 300,000 acres of dramatic red sandstone, twisting canyons, vital desert tortoise habitat, and rich tapestry of human history, from ancient petroglyphs to pioneer remnants, exemplify the values the National Conservation Lands were established to protect.
Friends of Gold Butte will have our local celebration of the 25th National Conservation Lands and the 9th anniversary of Gold Butte in December. We are planning a great evening with food, talks, music, and our annual auction. More information and dates will be coming soon. And, if you have something interesting or a connection to a business who would like to donation an item for our auction, please contact Brenda!
Celebrating 25 Years and Looking Ahead
Throughout 2025, the BLM, along with partner organizations like the Conservation Lands Foundation and local “Friends” groups such as ours, will be celebrating this silver anniversary. This milestone is a chance to reflect on the incredible foresight that led to the creation of this system and to rededicate ourselves to its continued stewardship.
These lands weren’t protected in a vacuum; they exist because people like you fought for them. As we celebrate, it’s crucial to remember that advocacy and active participation are vital to ensuring these public lands remain protected and accessible. Threats such as underfunding for land management agencies and proposals to roll back protections are ongoing concerns.
How You Can Join the Celebration and Make a Difference
* Visit and Explore: Make time this year to visit a National Conservation Lands unit. Whether it’s Gold Butte or another spectacular landscape, experience these treasures firsthand. Remember to be prepared, as many sites are remote and rugged.
* Speak Up: Let your elected officials know that National Conservation Lands are important to you. Urge them to support continued protection, adequate funding for the BLM, and policies that prioritize conservation.
* Support Friends Groups: Organizations like Friends of Gold Butte play a crucial role in stewardship, education, and advocacy for these special places. Your membership and volunteer efforts make a tangible difference.
* Learn More: Visit the BLM’s National Conservation Lands 25th Anniversary webpage (blm.gov/NLCS25) and the Conservation Lands Foundation website (conservationlands.org) for more information, stories, and event listings.
Let’s celebrate 25 years of the National Conservation Lands by recommitting ourselves to protecting these extraordinary places for the next 25 years and beyond!
