Our nation’s founders set out to build an entirely different form of society. It should be no surprise that we ended up with a litany of revolutionary views and practices. Namely who reports to who. The Federal government manages approximately 640 million acres of land, 245 million through the Bureau of Land Management. But make no mistake who owns that land. It’s you and me.
Like hurricane season and cicada swarms, proposals to sell off BLM land have a cyclical nature to them. We can’t tell you what factors begin the cycle. It’s a complicated issue, for sure. What forces the close of each cycle? That would be the loud and growing army who know they have a claim to the deed.
Go West
For 123 years, the U.S. government encouraged western expansion and land privatization by offering 160-acre plots in the western territories to any citizen willing to pay a small filing fee. In total, more than 270 million acres transferred to private owners. The Homestead Act worked as intended. It also led to the rapid depletion of natural resources.
Long before the act was repealed in 1976, it was growing difficult for homesteaders to find a free piece of land worth taking. Unclaimed, undesirable parcels sat landlocked by the choice plots. Massive areas of inhospitable wilderness went up for grabs and waited on a private caretaker that never came. The bulk of BLM land is what was left in those western states, now stewarded by the government for the taxpayers benefit. Thankfully.
Sight Unseen?
Far from a new idea, public lands have existed in the same way, for largely the same purposes, since our nation’s youth. In 1812, BLM’s predecessor, the General Land Office was established. Like BLM, the GLO served as a caretaker and bookkeeper for federally managed land. Like today, ranchers used the land for grazing, hunters and anglers to put food on their tables, and the feds maintained the proper balance.
As it turns out, managing massive areas of wilderness is something our government is pretty good at. Those of us who’ve made the trek to see for ourselves have experienced something far different from the wasteland that’s described in debates. We discourage you from taking our word for it.
Thanks to the sage concern of our ancestors, you’ve inherited some land. Don’t sell it without having a look. Odds are, after experiencing the place, it’ll be the last thing you think of liquidating when times get tough.
Do Something
Each year, millions of Americans visit and explore our public lands. There’s no faster track to advocacy. Without a dollar changing hands, there’s a real sense of ownership that has to be experienced first-hand. It’s your land and you should do something with it. Take the family camping without a reservation (or toilet), challenge your hunting skills against an animal who’s seen a thing or two. Pack the truck and drive till you can’t remember civilization. Then go back and tell them what you saw. What you felt. And that they’re co-owners.
For most of us, those first steps onto public land feel like real freedom and true exploration. It’s a memorable experience each time, but especially the first. BLM offers a map of land and recreational opportunities. Find your spot, pick your pursuit, and go.
If you’ve experienced the thrill of wandering your very own 245-million acre tract of land, grab a bullhorn and tell your friends. We’re sure they’ll feel like saving our land for a rainy day.
Joining Forces
Thankfully, our voices have been heard on this front. Not just because we’re speaking loudly, but because we’re beginning to speak in unison. It’s crucial that we continue to view our fellow public land owners as allies.
If we can stick with the army metaphor, Cam Hanes is solidly a general. Few know the land better, fewer have worked as hard to protect it. For years, DiamondBack has been cheering Cam on from afar. When his team asked us to join forces, we jumped at the chance. With help from DiamondBack ambassador Last Line of Defense, we built Cam’s already ridiculous 2020 Hennessey VelociRaptor into the ultimate public land rig. Not for him, but for one lucky winner. Now through September 30, enter to win by purchasing limited edition gear or making a donation to TRCP. Learn more at cameronhanes.com.
