What’s at stake for our nation’s wildlife?

“Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.”  – John Muir

Americans are blessed with a brilliant array of wildlife, with over 21,715 species of native plants and animals.  These include over 400 species of mammals, 800 species of birds, and 800 species of fish. We are fortunate to enjoy large herds of elk and deer, iconic species like bison and grizzly bears, and a stunning diversity of waterfowl and songbirds because of the habitat public lands provide.

Public lands often provide critical habitat for these species that cannot be found elsewhere; the Bureau of Land Management alone hosts over 3,000 species of fish and wildlife. Activities like rearing young, surviving long winters, and migrating between summer and winter habitat often require the large, protected landscapes that only public lands provide.

From hunting and fishing to wildlife watching and tourism, we rely on public lands to serve as the foundation to support wildlife and the economies they drive. Our American wildlife need the space to roam; and without the vast open spaces found in our public lands much of the wildlife we know and love would cease to exist.