Public lands are a shared American inheritance and no one understands this better than the Utah Public Lands Alliance. As an organization whose mission is to preserve Utah’s public lands for public use, we strive to create awareness on the importance of our public land. We believe that public lands are a priceless heritage and should be open to all Americans for sustainable use and enjoyment.

There are several reasons why public land in Utah should be preserved and protected. Here are some of them:

1. Countless adventure opportunities.

Utah’s public lands are the perfect place for any number of outdoor recreational pursuits. You can camp out under the stars, go off-roading in Sand Mountain OHV Area in St. George Utah & classic trails in Moab, backpack in Bears Ears National Monument, paddle in the San Juan River or hike up the Cedar Mesa- all without leaving the state. With many national parks and monuments, climbing areas and miles of trails, Utah gives you the opportunity to get active amidst spectacular surroundings.

2. The spectacular landscapes provide moments of Zen.

Our public lands are some of the most unique in the country. Whether you want to climb to the top of Fisher Tower or just stop at a scenic outlook, the landscape is sure to blow you away. The towering red rock formations, arches and hoodoos, winding sandstone canyons, colorful mesas, and desert rivers will leave you stunned. This is the perfect environment to come to when you want to get away from the hassles of your life to just relax and unwind.

3. They allow us to spot wildlife in their natural habitats.

The land around us is teeming with wildlife-you only need to know where to look. The desert lowlands and mountain ranges are crucial habitats for mule deer, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, cougars, and raptors. Some of these animals can’t be spotted anywhere else.

4. They are a link to our history and cultural heritage.

Some of the public lands in Utah are cultural heritage sites e.g. the Bears Ears are sacred to the Native Americans and you can see several well-preserved petroglyphs there. You can also visit lots of other sites- including dinosaur trails- that give us a glimpse into the past. These sites help enlighten both kids and adults on the wonders of history and form the foundation for archaeology and paleontology.

5. For the economic benefits.

Utah’s public lands attract tourists, sportsmen and women, investors and entrepreneurs. Thanks to the recreational facilities, we have a vibrant outdoor recreation economy that boosts local towns and cities. These and the energy development projects happening in the state help to create hundreds of jobs while powering the economy.

Join Us Today

We believe that public lands should be left in the hands of the public and we work on different projects to ensure that the land remains accessible to all. We would love it if you would join and help us either through becoming a member, subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

Our main mission here at the Utah Public Lands Alliance is to preserve Utah’s public lands for public use. We do this in through cooperation not only with the public and landowners but also several regulatory agencies chief among them the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The BLM is one of the nine bureaus within the United States Department of the Interior and its mission is to sustain the health diversity and productivity of public lands in the US for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. We work well together since we have a common mission.

Here are other interesting facts you should know about the BLM:

1. It has deep roots.

Although the BLM was established about 73 years ago in 1946, its roots go way back to just years after US independence. It started out as the General Land Office in 1812 which helped encourage homesteading and westward migration. President S. Truman later merged the GLO and US Grazing Service to create what we now know as the BLM.

2. It’s a small agency with a big mission.

The BLM oversees about 245 million surface acres of public lands for the American people and preserves it for multiple uses e.g. recreation and natural resource development. That means managing about 12% of the US landmass!

3. Thanks to the BLM, we can engage in all sorts of awesome recreational activities.

The public lands under BLM management are perfect for a variety of recreational activities from tame ones like hiking and fishing to adrenaline-charged ones like off-roading, canyoneering, hang-gliding or white-water rafting.

4. BLM’s oil and gas programs boost the economy.

BLM managed land doesn’t lie idle. The oil and gas development on some of these lands supports more than 150,000 jobs in the country and injects more than $40 billion into the economy. Furthermore, the BLM also manages oil and gas operations on behalf of individual mineral owners and indigenous tribes in some states.

5. Public lands power our homes and businesses

Other than oil and gas development, some of the land under BLM management is used for energy production using coal, geothermal, wind, solar energy, etc. to generate electricity. The electricity is then transmitted and used to power businesses, homes and the American infrastructure.

6. Their grazing programs help maintain healthy rangelands.

Additionally, the BLM manages livestock grazing on millions of acres of public lands, helping to maintain healthy open spaces and sustain livestock farming.

Support Our Mission To Protect Public Lands

We always have room for new members and volunteers who want to get involved in our work and are ready to help us with our projects.

You too can play your part by becoming a member of the UPLA, subscribing to our newsletter to keep abreast of the latest happenings, spreading word of our work and respecting the land around us and all those who use it.