1. Chapter 8: Land Section 8.3: Public Land in the U.S. Ice Age N.P., Wisc.

2. In the early 1870’s, a group of explorers approached Congress on their concerns of magnificant western lands that would be devastated by logging, mining, farming, and development.

3. They asked Congress to protect this land by setting it aside for the public to use and enjoy - Congress agreed and formed the first national park – Yellowstone National Park.

4. Today there are about 55 national parks in the United States, and the federal government has required and protected various other types of public lands. Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Md.

5. Forty percent of all the land in the U.S. is publicly owned – managed by federal, state and local governments. Arches N.P., Moab, Ut.

6. Because land resources are so valuable, the federal government allows most public land to be used in multiple ways. Big Cypress Nat. Preserve, Ochopee, Fl.

7. Major U.S. Public lands Big Hole N.B., Wisdom, Mont. Buck Island Reef Nat. Monument., Christiansted, VI.

8. National Parks and Monuments 81 million acres Hiking, camping, boating, fishing. Commemoration of historical sites. In some areas, hunting and mineral extraction. Badlands N.P. Southwestern SD

9. National Wildlife Refuges 92 million acres Wildlife conservation, recreational activities, breeding areas for commercial fish, education and scientific research. Denali National Preserve, Denali Park, AK

10. National Resource Land 109 million acres Recreation, wildlife conservation, and industry such as livestock grazing or mining. Cumberland Island National Seashore, St Marys, GA

11. National Forests 219 million acres Recreation and commercial uses such as logging, grazing, and mining. Sometimes the land is leased for ski resorts or similar adventures. Olympic N.P., Port Angeles, WA