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Click on a state label for recreation info.
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This website is brought to you by the nonprofit Public Lands Interpretive Association. Revenues earned through sales support the Association's efforts to promote responsible outdoor recreation on America's public lands. |
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What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 15 of a series)
Wilderness Study Areas
These are wilderness wannabes, awaiting Congressional action to be included or not in the Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness study areas have to contain roadless areas of at least 5,000 acres, affected primarily by the forces of nature and not humans, provide opportunities for solitude and primitive types of recreation. Management of Wilderness Study Areas is less restrictive than Wilderness Areas, for example off-highway vehicles may drive on designated routes and the lands are open to location of new mining claims. Both activities are prohibited in wilderness. Traditional uses such as hunting, fishing, and grazing are also allowed.
The National Landscape Conservation System (BLM) includes more than 585 Wilderness Study Areas for a combined acreage of more than 13.8 million acres located in the Western States and Alaska. In addition to the BLM, the U.S. Forest Service has also identified Wilderness Study Areas. Neither the National Park Service nor the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service use the WSA terminology, preferring “Proposed Wilderness” instead.
Administering agencies: National Landscape Conservation System (Bureau of Land Management), U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Established: Wilderness Act, 1964; Federal Land Policy and Management Act, 1976
Total area under the Wilderness Study Areas designation: more than 20 million acres
Next: National Historical Parks
For More information about Wilderness Study Areas |
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Desolation Canyon WSA, Utah (BLM photo)
Sleeping Giant WSA, Colorado (BLM photo)
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What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 14 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 13 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 12 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 11 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 10 of a series)
What's a PUBLIC LAND Anyway? (part 9 of a series)
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Free Public Lands Map
As part of the continuing effort to raise awareness of and to provide education about our public lands, PLIA is offering a free public lands map.
The National Geographic Public Lands of the United States map is available for a limited time. National Geographic reprinted this beautiful, poster-sized map, which shows all lands under federal management, as part of its Geography Action! program. The back side of the map features lots of useful information for educators, parents, and recreationists, as well as interesting activities for kids.
While there is no charge for these items, regular shipping charges apply. Click on the link to order up to 2 free items from PLIA's online public lands bookstore. If you need more than two maps, please call us toll free at 877-851-8946.
Click to order free public lands map |
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Public Lands of the United States map
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Free Endangered Species and Other Pins
Free Public Lands Book
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