National Landscape Conservation System

This program aims to increase the effectiveness of decision-making for BLMs National Conservation Lands and to advance the purposes for which they were designated. In addition, the assistance listing supports outcomes which promote either participatory science (i.e. citizen science) or tribal co-stewardship. National Conservation Lands are nationally significant landscapes that serve as focal areas for conservation, protection, and restoration. These designations span more than 38 million acres, and are afforded special management by Acts of Congress or Presidential Proclamations. The BLM manages these special areas to protect and restore their outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values while supporting compatible recreation and economic opportunities in accordance with the bureau’s multiple-use and sustained-yield mandate. These designated lands help ensure that the Nation's extraordinary beauty, heritage and biodiversity will be sustained for present and future generations to use and enjoy. These areas include over 2,700 recreation sites and 22 visitor centers and serve over 14 million visitors annually. The National Conservation Lands include the following designations: National Monuments and National Conservation Areas (and similar designations); Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas; Wild and Scenic Rivers; National Scenic and Historic Trails; and National Conservation Lands of the California Desert.