NLCS Fact Sheet

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• The NLCS Mission is to conserve, protect and restore nationally significant landscapes recognized for their cultural, ecological and scientific values for the American public
  
  
• The NLCS was established in 2000 by Interior Secretary Babbitt
  
  
• The System contains more than 850 federally recognized units
  
  
• It encompasses approximately 27 million acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Managements
  
  
• The NLCS has four categories of federally designated areas:
  
  
  
  • National Monuments, National Conservation Area (NCAs) and similar designations 
     ‘Similar designations’ includes National Recreation Areas, Cooperative Management and Protection Areas, Outstanding Natural Areas, and Forest Reserves
     
    
  • Wilderness
    This category includes Designated Wilderness and Wilderness  Study Areas
    
    
  • Wild and Scenic Rivers
    
    
  • National Trails
    This category includes National Historic Trails and National Scenic Trails