The Bureau of Land Management’s Role in Managing America’s Wilderness Wilderness Act The BLM’s Wilderness Role Benefits of Wilderness BLM Wilderness Management BLM

Many wilderness lands are managed by the Bureau A central piece of the BLM’s National System of Wilderness is everyone’s to share and enjoy: and international audience. Local communities of 1964 of Land Management (BLM), which manages more Public Lands is the National Landscape Conservation may benefit economically from nearby Program Emphasis Areas Wilderness • Wilderness provides time than 245 million acres of public land, the most of System, otherwise known as “National Conservation wilderness through increased visitation and local In 1964, Congress passed the Wilderness Act, to reflect and find solitude PRESERVING WILDERNESS any other federal agency. BLM public lands, known Lands.” These lands include approximately 8.7 million expenditures, as well as through the protection Management and solace. CHARACTER which established the National Wilderness as the National System of Public Lands, are primarily acres of wilderness areas and 12.8 million acres of and enhancement of amenities related to quality • Wilderness provides Preserving wilderness character is at located in 12 western states, including Alaska. wilderness study areas (WSAs), containing some of of life. Preservation System and designated the first opportunities for the heart of the BLM’s responsibility Program the wildest and most remote places in America. • Many local outfitters and guides specialize in recreation, including to ensure its wilderness areas are wilderness areas. The purpose of the Wilderness The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain leading comfortable and exciting wilderness hiking, camping, protected for future generations. In Priorities Act is to provide long-term preservation the health, diversity, and productivity of The BLM’s National Conservation Lands are adventures for individual travelers or larger horseback riding, fishing, 2008, the BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 4. Engage youth and underserved communities. the public lands for the use and enjoyment a system of lands that comprise approximately groups, including families. and protection to areas on federal lands hunting, photography, off- Service, National Park Service, U.S. Work to engage youth in the stewardship of of present and future generations. The BLM 28 million acres of spectacular, primarily for the Future trail exploration, and many Forest Service, and U.S. Geological wilderness lands to nurture the next generation that are largely undeveloped, natural, and accomplishes this by managing such activities western landscapes recognized for their Wilderness provides clean water and air, critical others. Service developed “Keeping It Wild: The BLM wilderness management program’s six of wilderness managers and specialists. Reach out as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, ecological, cultural, historic, recreational, and habitat for animals, and healthy landscapes, unconstrained by human activity and that • Some wilderness includes An Interagency Strategy to Monitor Arizona Wilderness, Eagletail Mountains overarching priorities to guide its work from 2014 to Americans living in communities traditionally mineral development, and energy production scientific values. In addition to wilderness allowing rare and endangered species to thrive. provide outstanding opportunities for solitude sacred ancestral lands of Trends in Wilderness Character Across and beyond include: underserved in regards to their access to and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, lands, National Conservation Lands include American Indian tribes. • Wilderness areas on BLM public lands provide the National Wilderness Preservation knowledge of the value of protecting wilderness or recreation. and other resources on public lands. national monuments, national conservation • Wilderness showcases essential habitat for numerous wildlife and plant System.” The strategy outlines a unified 1. Ensure the protection of wilderness character. lands. Work with local partners to explore ways to areas, wild and scenic rivers, and national trails. to the world some of species. Some of these include golden eagles, approach to identifying trends in The Wilderness Act states that administering increase physical access and exposure to local wilderness character quality and agencies are “responsible for preserving the wilderness resources for underserved communities. The uniquely American idea of wilderness America’s most special prairie falcons, condors, and bobcats, as Wilderness lands consist of rugged mountain ranges, broad valleys, wild rivers and streams, and desert plains places and landscapes— well as cacti, bristlecone pine trees, and provides a standardized method to assess wilderness character.” The BLM will ensure that ensures long-term protection of natural and include vast natural landscapes, which once covered all of North America. Along with the BLM, wilderness forested mountains, alpine Joshua trees. broad-scale performance in preserving managers and staff adhere to this core direction 5. Train the next generation of wilderness landscapes. Wilderness protects the habitat lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. meadows, rock peaks wilderness character to be used by all of the act in development and implementation managers. above timberline, tundra, wilderness-managing agencies. of all management decisions within designated Continuing the legacy of sound wilderness of numerous wildlife species and serves as a Wilderness Study Areas Wilderness Study Wyoming Area, Town Adobe lava beds, deserts, wild wilderness. The BLM will provide tools management will require the BLM to expend biodiversity bank for many species of plants The BLM manages more than 520 WSAs located in WSAs. Since 1980, Congress has reviewed many of rivers, swamps, coastal In 2009, the BLM implemented this and training to employees while ensuring time and energy training the next generation of the western states and Alaska. To be designated a these areas and has designated some as wilderness Utah Area, Study Wilderness Canyon Creek Fish and animals. Wilderness is also a source of clean lands, and islands. strategy with a goal of completing accountability in meeting this core legal mandate wilderness managers and specialists. The BLM will WSA, an area must have the following characteristics: areas and released others for nonwilderness uses. baseline monitoring for 20 percent and associated agency policies. increase efforts to train managers and specialists water. It has long been used as a laboratory Until Congress makes a final determination on a Wilderness provides of BLM wilderness areas each year. at all levels of the organization in how to properly for science research and education outreach, Size – roadless areas of at least 5,000 acres of public WSA, the BLM manages these areas to preserve their economic benefits to local The protocol developed to monitor 2. Improve connection with partners. steward our wilderness heritage, including lands or of sufficient size as to make practicable suitability for designation as wilderness. and describe trends in the quality Internal and external cooperative work with designated wilderness, WSAs, and lands with providing sites for field trips, study areas for communities and the nation. its preservation. of wilderness character will enable partners will continue to build capacity and wilderness characteristics. student research, and serving as a source of Wilderness Study Areas by the Numbers • Protecting the environment and Naturalness – appears to have been affected the BLM to establish a meaningful increase the understanding of the relevancy providing rare opportunities for instructional examples. Recreation is another primarily by the forces of nature. STATE NUMBER OF ACREAGE measure with verified baseline data for of wilderness resources. The BLM will continue 6. Increase the role of science in wilderness UNITS wilderness experiences use in the future. Once this baseline to foster wilderness stewardship by better management. obvious appeal of wilderness, and wilderness Opportunities – provides outstanding opportunities Alaska 1 260,000 interest a wide national monitoring is complete, and for the connecting the broader wilderness network, both Sound management decisions rely on sound for solitude, natural sounds, dark night skies, or Arizona 2 63,930 areas are seeing steadily increasing use from first time since the Wilderness Act was domestic and international. science. Wilderness stewardship requires primitive and unconfined recreation, such as California 67 821,870

passed, the BLM will be able to track Area Arctic Management Central BLM photo Alaska, Area, Study Wilderness objective, scientific knowledge as an established people who wish to experience freedom from hiking, camping, canoeing, and horseback riding. Colorado 54 548,209 trends in wilderness character for all of 3. Raise awareness of the BLM’s wilderness lands. baseline that can be repeated over time to Idaho 44 655,512 the nation’s fast-paced, industrialized society. Special qualities – the areas often have ecological, its wilderness areas. Raise awareness of BLM wilderness lands so more establish and monitor trend. This will, in turn, help Montana 39 449,963 people understand and appreciate wilderness, its shape future management actions. The BLM will geological, educational, historical, scientific, and/ Nevada 62 2,542,505 or scenic values. New Mexico 57 960,335 ENHANCING SCIENTIFIC values, and its benefits. Continue in-reach and continue to monitor wilderness character using Oregon 87 2,645,791 KNOWLEDGE outreach efforts to convey the importance of the “Keeping It Wild” strategy. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) Utah 86 3,232,402 The BLM’s wilderness areas play wilderness areas to our publics’ quality of life, and of 1976 directed the BLM to inventory and study its Washington 1 5,554 an increasingly critical role in further promote consistent cooperative messaging. roadless areas for wilderness characteristics. The study Wyoming 42 574,401 expanding our scientific knowledge received extensive public input and participation. Total 528** 12,760,472 about a wide array of challenging

By November 1980, the BLM had completed field ** Fourteen WSAs have acreage in two different states. These areas management issues facing the inventories and designated about 25 million acres of are only counted once in the total number of units. BLM and other wildland managers. Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Colorado Area, Study Wilderness Canyon Browns Ojito Wilderness, New Mexico New Wilderness, Ojito The BLM emphasizes the role of science partnerships in managing wilderness and increasingly collaborates with partners to help Lands with BLM Wilderness Management Program manage BLM wilderness areas as a part of larger landscapes. Scientific The BLM’s wilderness management program wilderness and help them to sustain their unique research continues to increase as new Wilderness focuses on the protection and conservation of quality of life, which is so closely linked to the history opportunities are identified, including wilderness by: and natural heritage of the wilderness landscapes. Characteristics research directed at the effects • Monitoring and preserving wilderness character. of landscape stressors on species The BLM wilderness management program WSAs were formally identified in 1980, and inventory • Managing land use and encouraging appropriate habitat and migration corridors. New, frequently addresses challenges associated with and study findings were submitted to Congress as wilderness uses. improved, higher resolution satellite

Piper Mountain Wilderness, California Wilderness, Mountain Piper unauthorized uses, such as illegal off-highway part of a one-time effort under FLPMA. However, • Monitoring and managing for noxious weed imagery and aerial photography Wilderness vehicle use, which are increasingly resulting in in accordance with FLPMA, the BLM is required infestations, trespass activities, and recreation. further aid in the monitoring of the further degradation of wilderness character. to maintain an inventory of all public land values, • Restoring impacted areas such as trampled wilderness areas and WSAs. This Areas Managing wilderness resources requires including wilderness characteristics, on an ongoing Wilderness vegetation and eroded soil. imagery is less expensive than collaboratively managing them as part of the larger The BLM is responsible for 221 wilderness basis. Due to land exchanges and acquisitions, complete reliance on ground patrols, landscape. After a wilderness area is designated, areas in 10 western states. Wilderness resource restoration projects, and other factors, BLM The BLM is unique in that the vast majority of its adds an additional level of diagnostics Provides Vital the BLM typically spends the first 3 years marking areas are special places where the earth land conditions can change, resulting in additional wilderness areas and WSAs are located in a wide to make further analyses, and can help maximize the and mapping the boundary and providing visitor and its community of life are essentially BLM lands with wilderness characteristics. variety of desert environments, adding an essential effectiveness of appropriated funds used to manage Ecological services, such as maps and other public information. undisturbed. They retain a primeval character, network of desert ecosystem components to the these areas. Subsequent management includes acquiring in- without permanent improvements, and have Once the inventory is updated, the BLM is required National Wilderness Preservation System. Millions of holdings from willing sellers, restoring wilderness been affected primarily by the forces of nature. to make decisions in its resource management Values people visit these areas annually, either on their own DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS AND CONNECTING LANDSCAPES BY or through the hundreds of permitted commercial character where needed, engaging in land use plans as to which lands should be managed to Although wilderness areas provide visitors ENGAGING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES WORKING COLLABORATIVELY outfitters that assist the public in enjoying these planning and monitoring, implementing wilderness Wilderness Areas by the Numbers protect wilderness characteristics and which lands the rare opportunity to experience solitude Developing partnerships in wilderness stewardship Working collaboratively with several BLM programs unique lands. Visitors provide significant social and management plans, and continuing to provide STATE NUMBER OF ACREAGE should be managed for other uses. If a decision and recreation, wilderness areas also provide is an important aspect of the BLM’s management of and other agencies better allows the BLM to manage

economic benefit to local communities with nearby visitor services. Idaho Wilderness, Rivers Bruneau-Jarbidge UNITS is made to “protect,” the BLM uses a variety significant and vital ecological values. Wilderness wilderness lands. BLM wilderness resources benefit the wilderness areas under its jurisdiction as a part Arizona 47 1,396,826 of management prescriptions to ensure that areas, as large tracts of unmodified land, play greatly from volunteers who provide thousands of larger landscapes, which clearly benefits BLM California 87 3,843,998 wilderness characteristics are maintained over the a major role in ecosystem response to climate of hours of monitoring, as well as material and wilderness resources. For example, programs that Colorado 5 205,814 life of the plan (e.g., prohibit new road and facility change. An unmodified ecosystem is less transportation for specific projects. Nearly 100 manage wildlife (e.g., desert bighorn sheep, sage- Idaho 7 517,362 Help Protect construction, exclude new rights-of-way, provide stressed and therefore more resilient. A more formal and informal partnerships have been grouse, etc.), fire, weeds, and rangeland resources Montana 1 6,347 compatible recreation uses, etc.). developed to facilitate wilderness stewardship routinely fund projects that also benefit wilderness Nevada 45 2,055,681 resilient ecosystem can absorb greater impacts, activities on BLM land. Typical examples of work resources. By establishing connections across Wilderness New Mexico 5 170,163 such as those resulting from climate change, and may continue to function effectively for a performed by partners in wilderness areas and boundaries with other jurisdictions, management of Oregon 8 246,953 You can help protect wilderness by learning WSAs include trail construction and maintenance, wilderness areas complements conservation areas Utah 18 260,356 longer period of time. more (www.wilderness.net) and Washington 1 7,140 invasive species eradication and monitoring, within the respective jurisdictions of the National Total 221* 8,710,640 Resiliency, in turn, helps protect biodiversity, interim management monitoring of WSAs, and Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest being a responsible visitor reclamation and restoration activities to create more Service, tribes, state and local governments, private * Three wilderness areas have acreage in two different support critical ecological components and (www.LNT.org). states. These areas are only counted once in the total processes, stabilize hydrological response, natural environments. The BLM has developed a conservation lands, and other BLM land managed number of units. allow more species to exist at the edge of their memorandum of understanding with the National for resource protection. You can help the BLM in its natural range, improve native species’ resistance Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, a national to invasive species, and create more areas that organization that is coordinating the establishment wilderness stewardship efforts act as refugia for displaced species. Further, of partners and friends groups to assist in by joining a local wilderness wilderness stewardship in the National Wilderness wilderness areas help improve landscapes’ strong friends group ecological connectivity. BLM wilderness lands Preservation System. (www.wildernessalliance.org), provide a high degree of protection and often serve as a bridge and migration joining the Society for corridor between Wilderness Stewardship Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, Colorado Wilderness, Dominguez Canyon adjacent protected (www.wildernessstewardship.org), areas, regardless of or volunteering at a nearby BLM field office. their administrative jurisdiction. Table Rock Wilderness, Oregon Wilderness, Rock Table Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona Wilderness, Cliffs Canyon-Vermilion Paria

Juniper Dunes Wilderness, Washington, BLM photo Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area, Montana Area, Study Wilderness Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Areas Wilderness Areas ALASKA 141 Great Rift 290 Horse Mountain 450 Moquith Mountain ARIZONA 100 Orocopia Mountains 188 Tunnel Spring 1 Central Arctic Management Area 142 Hawley Mountain 291 Hoverrocker 451 Mount Ellen-Blue Hills 1 Aravaipa Canyon 101 Otay Mountain 189 Wee Thump Joshua Tree 143 Hell’s Half Acre 292 Ignacio Chavez 452 Mount Hillers 2 Arrastra Mountain 102 Owens Peak 190 Weepah Spring ARIZONA 144 Henry’s Lake 293 Jornada del Muerto 453 Mount Pennell 3 Aubrey Peak 103 Pahrump Valley 191 White Rock Range 2 Baker Canyon 145 Jerry Peak 294 La Lena (tilde over n) 454 Mud Spring Canyon 4 Baboquivari Peak 104 Palen/McCoy 192 Worthington Mountains 3 Cactus Plain 146 Jerry Peak West 295 Las Uvas Mountains 455 Muddy Creek 5 Beaver Dam Mountains** 105 Palo Verde Mountains BLM 147 King Hill Creek 296 Little Black Peak 456 Mule Canyon 6 Big Horn Mountains 106 Picacho Peak NEW MEXICO CALIFORNIA 148 Lava 297 Lonesome Ridge 457 Negro Bill Canyon 7 Cottonwood Point 107 Pinto Mountains 193 Bisti/De-Na-Zin 4 Agua Tibia 149 Little City of Rocks 298 Manzano 458 North Escalante Canyons/ 8 Coyote Mountains 108 Piper Mountain 194 Cebolla Wilderness Resources on Lands 5 Avawatz Mountains 150 Little Deer 299 Mathers The Gulch 9 Dos Cabezas Mountains 109 Piute Mountains 195 Ojito 6 Bear Canyon 151 Little Wood River 300 McKittrick Canyon 459 North Fork Virgin River 10 Eagletail Mountains 110 Resting Spring Range 196 Sabinoso 7 Bear Mountain 152 Lower Salmon Falls Creek 301 Mesita Blanca 460 North Stansbury Mountains 11 East Cactus Plain 111 Rice Valley 197 West Malpais 8 Beauty Mountain 153 Marshall Mountain 302 Mount Riley 461 Notch Peak 12 Fishhooks 112 Riverside Mountains 9 Big Butte 154 Petticoat Peak 303 Mudgetts 462 Orderville Canyon 13 Gibralter Mountain 113 Rocks and Islands OREGON 10 Bitterbrush 155 Raven’s Eye 304 Ojito 463 Paria-Hackberry 14 Grand Wash Cliffs 114 Rodman Mountains 198 Hells Canyon 11 Black Mountain 156 Sand Butte 305 Organ Mountains 464 Paria-Hackberry 202 15 Harcuvar Mountains 115 Sacatar Trail 199 Lower White River 12 Bodie 157 Sand Mountain 306 Organ Needles 465 Parunuweap Canyon 16 Harquahala Mountains 116 Saddle Peak Hills 200 Oregon Badlands 13 Bodie Mountain 158 Selkirk Crest 307 Peloncillo Mountains 466 Phipps-Death Hollow 17 Hassayampa River Canyon 117 San Gorgonio 201 Soda Mountain 14 Cady Mountains 159 Shale Butte 308 Pena Blanca (tilde over n) 467 Road Canyon 18 Hells Canyon 118 Santa Lucia 202 Spring Basin 15 Caliente Mountain 160 Shoshone 309 Petaca Pinta 468 Rockwell 19 Hummingbird Springs 119 Santa Rosa 203 Steens Mountain 16 Carrizo Gorge 161 Snake River Islands 310 Presilla 469 San Rafael Reef 20 Kanab Creek 120 Sawtooth Mountains 204 Table Rock 17 Carson Iceberg 162 Snowhole Rapids 311 Rio Chama 470 Scorpion 21 Mount Logan 121 Sheephole Valley 205 Wild Rogue 18 Casa Diablo 163 White Knob Mountains 312 Robledo Mountains 471 Scott’s Basin 22 Mount Nutt 122 South Fork Eel River 19 Cerro Gordo 164 Worm Creek 313 San Antonio 472 Sids Cabin 202 23 Mount Tipton 123 South Nopah Range UTAH 20 Chidago Canyon 314 Sierra de las Canas (tilde over n) 473 Sids Mountain 24 Mount Trumbull 124 Stateline 206 Beartrap Canyon 21 Crater Mountain MONTANA 315 Sierra Ladrones 474 South Needles 25 Mount Wilson 125 Stepladder Mountains 207 Blackridge 22 Death Valley 17 165 Antelope Creek 316 Stallion 475 Spring Creek Canyon 26 Muggins Mountain 126 Surprise Canyon 208 Canaan Mountain 23 Eden Valley 166 Axolotl Lakes 317 Veranito 476 Spruce Canyon 27 Needle’s Eye 127 Sylvania Mountains 209 Cedar Mountains 24 Excelsior 167 Beaver Meadows 318 West Potrillo Mountains 477 Squaw/Papoose Canyon* 28 New Water Mountains 128 Trilobite 210 Cottonwood Canyon 25 Fish Slough 168 Bell/Limekiln Canyons 478 Steep Creek 29 North Maricopa Mountains 129 Turtle Mountains 211 Cougar Canyon 26 Five Springs* 169 Big Horn Tack-On* OREGON 479 Swasey Mountain 30 North Santa Teresa 130 Ventana 212 Deep Creek 27 Garcia Mountain 170 Billy Creek 319 Abert Rim 480 The Blues 31 Paiute 131 Whipple Mountains 213 Deep Creek North 28 Great Falls Basin 171 Bitter Creek 320 Aldrich Mountain 481 The Cockscomb 32 Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs** 132 White Mountains 214 Doc’s Pass 29 Hauser Mountain 172 Black Sage 321 Alvord Desert 482 Turtle Canyon 33 Peloncillo Mountains 133 Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel 215 Goose Creek 30 Independence Creek 173 Blacktail Mountains 322 Basque Hills 483 Wah Wah Mountains 34 Rawhide Mountains 134 Yuki 216 LaVerkin Creek 31 Kingston Range 174 Bridge Coulee 323 Beaver Dam Creek 484 Wahweap 35 Redfield Canyon 217 Red Butte 32 Lava 175 Buffalo Creek 324 Blitzen River 485 Westwater Canyon 36 Sierra Estrella COLORADO 218 Red Mountain 33 Machesna 176 Burnt Lodge 325 Blue Canyon 486 White Rock Range 37 Signal Mountain 135 Black Ridge Canyons** 219 Slaughter Creek 34 Merced River 177 Burnt Timber Canyon 326 Bowden Hills 487 Winter Ridge 38 South Maricopa Mountains 136 Dominguez Canyon 220 Taylor Creek 35 Milk Ranch/Case Mountain 178 Centennial Mountains 327 Brewer Spruce 39 Swansea 137 Gunnison Gorge 36 Moses 179 Cow Creek 328 Bridge Creek WASHINGTON 40 Table Top 138 Powderhorn WASHINGTON 37 Mount Biedeman 180 Dog Creek South 329 Camp Creek 488 Chopaka Mountain 41 Tres Alamos 139 Uncompahgre 221 Juniper Dunes 38 Owens Peak 181 East Fork Blacktail Deer Creek 330 Castle Rock 42 Trigo Mountain 39 Panoche Hills North 182 Elkhorn 331 Cedar Mountain WYOMING 43 Upper Burro Creek IDAHO 40 Panoche Hills South 183 Ervin Ridge 332 Clarks Butte 489 Adobe Town 44 Wabayuma Peak 140 Big Jacks Creek 41 Pinto Mountains 184 Farlin Creek 333 Cottonwood Creek 490 Alkali Basin/East Sand 45 Warm Springs 141 Bruneau- 42 Pit River Canyon 185 Henneberry Ridge 334 Cougar Well Dunes 46 White Canyon Jarbidge Rivers 43 Piute Cypress 186 Hidden Pasture Creek 335 Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls 491 Alkali Creek 47 Woolsey Peak 142 Frank Church-River of No 44 Rockhouse (a) 187 Hoodoo Mountain 336 Devils Garden Lava Bed 492 Alkali Draw Return 45 Rocky Creek/Cache Creek 188 Humbug Spires 337 Diablo Mountain 493 Bennett Mountains CALIFORNIA 143 Little Jacks Creek 46 Sacatar Meadows 189 Musselshell Breaks 338 Disaster Peak* 494 Bobcat Draw Badlands 48 Agua Tibia 144 North Fork Owyhee 47 San Benito Mountain 190 North Fork Sun River 339 Douglas-Fir 495 Buffalo Hump 49 Argus Range 145 Owyhee River 48 San Felipe Hills 191 Pryor Mountain* 340 Dry Creek 496 Cedar Mountain 50 Beauty Mountain 146 Pole Creek 49 San Ysidro Mountain 192 Quigg West 341 Dry Creek Buttes 497 Copper Mountain 51 Big Maria Mountains 52 Bigelow Cholla Garden MONTANA Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area, Colorado Area, Study Wilderness Handies Peak

Owyhee River Canyon Wilderness Study Area, Oregon Area, Study Wilderness Owyhee Canyon River 50 Sawtooth Mountains A 193 Ruby Mountains 342 East Alvord 498 Devil’s Playground/Twin 51 Sawtooth Mountains C 194 Seven Blackfoot 343 Fifteenmile Creek Buttes 53 Bighorn Mountain 147 Lee Metcalf-Bear Trap Canyon 52 Scodie 195 Sleeping Giant/Sheep Creek 344 Fish Creek Rim 499 Dubois Badlands 54 Black Mountain Unit 53 Sheep Ridge 196 Square Butte 345 Four Craters Lava Bed 500 Encampment River Canyon 55 Bright Star 54 Skedaddle* 197 Stafford 346 Gerry Mountain 501 Ferris Mountains 56 Bristol Mountains NEVADA 55 Slinkard 198 Terry Badlands 347 Gold Creek 502 Fortification Creek 57 Cache Creek 148 Arrow Canyon 56 Soda Mountains 199 Twin Coulee 348 Guano Creek 503 Gardner Mountain 58 Cadiz Dunes 149 Becky Peak 57 South Warner Contiguous 200 Wales Creek 349 Hampton Butte 504 Honeycomb Buttes 59 Carrizo Gorge 150 Big Rocks 58 Southern Inyo 201 Woodhawk 350 Hawk Mountain 505 Honeycombs 60 Cedar Roughs 151 Black Rock Desert 59 Symmes Creek 202 Yellowstone River Island 351 Heath Lake 506 Lake Mountain 61 Chemehuevi Mountains 152 Bristlecone 60 Table Mountain 203 Zook Creek 352 High Steens 507 Lankin Dome 62 Chimney Peak 153 Calico Mountains 61 Thatcher Ridge 353 Home Creek 508 McCullough Peaks 63 Chuckwalla Mountains 154 Clover Mountains 62 Timbered Crater NEVADA 354 Homestead 509 Medicine Lodge 64 Cleghorn Lakes 155 Delamar Mountains 63 Tule Mountain 204 Alder Creek 355 Honeycombs 510 Miller Spring 65 Clipper Mountain 156 East Fork High Rock Canyon 64 Tunnison Mountain 205 Antelope Range 356 Indian Creek 511 North Fork Powder River 66 Coso Range 157 Eldorado 65 Volcanic Tablelands 206 Augusta Mountains 357 Jordan Craters 512 Oregon Buttes 67 Coyote Mountains 158 Far South Egans 66 White Mountains 207 Bad Lands 358 Little Sink 513 Owl Creek 68 Darwin Falls 159 Fortification Range 67 Yolla Bolly Contiguous 208 Blue Eagle 359 Lookout Butte 514 Prospect Mountain 69 Dead Mountains 160 Goshute Canyon 209 Blue Lakes 360 Lost Forest 515 Raymond Mountain 70 Domeland 161 Government Peak COLORADO 210 Bluebell 361 Lower John Day 516 Red Butte 71 El Paso Mountains 162 High Rock Canyon 68 Adobe Badlands 211 Buffalo Hills* 362 Lower Owyhee Canyon 517 Red Creek Badlands 72 Elkhorn Ridge 163 High Rock Lake 69 American Flats 212 Burbank Canyons 363 Lower Stonehouse 518 Red Lake 73 Fish Creek Mountains 164 Highland Ridge 70 Ant Hills 213 Cedar Ridge 364 Mahogany Ridge 519 Sand Dunes 74 Funeral Mountains 165 Ireteba Peaks 71 Beaver Creek 214 China Mountain 365 Malheur River-Bluebucket Creek 520 Savage Peak 75 Golden Valley 166 Jumbo Springs 72 Bill Hare Gulch 215 Clan Alpine Mountains 366 McGraw Creek 521 Scab Creek 76 Granite Mountain 167 La Madre Mountain 73 Black Canyon 216 Desatoya Mountains 367 Mountain Lakes 522 Sheep Mountain 77 Grass Valley 168 Lime Canyon 74 Black Mountain 217 Dry Valley Rim* 368 North Fork 523 South Pinnacles 78 Hollow Hills 169 Little High Rock Canyon 75 Black Ridge Canyons 218 Fandango 369 North Pole Ridge 524 Split Rock 79 Ibex 170 Meadow Valley Range 76 Browns Canyon 219 Fox Range 370 Oregon Canyon 525 Sweetwater Canyon 80 Indian Pass 171 Mormon Mountains 77 Bull Canyon* 220 Gabbs Valley Range 371 Orejana Canyon 526 Trapper Creek 81 Inyo Mountains 172 Mount Charleston 78 Bull Gulch 221 Goshute Canyon 372 Owyhee Breaks 527 Whiskey Mountain 82 Ishi 173 Mount Grafton 79 Cahone Canyon 222 Goshute Peak 373 Owyhee River Canyon 528 Whitehorse Creek 83 Jacumba Mountains 174 Mount Irish 80 Camel Back 223 Grapevine Mountains 374 Palomino Hills 84 Kelso Dunes 175 Mount Moriah 81 Castle Peak 224 Job Peak 375 Pats Cabin 85 Kiavah 176 Muddy Mountains 82 Chew Winter Camp 225 Kawich 376 Pine Creek * Fourteen WSAs have acreage 86 King Range 177 North Black Rock Range ** Three wilderness areas have 83 Cross Canyon* 226 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout 377 Pueblo Mountains* in two different states. Each 87 Kingston Range 178 North Jackson Mountains acreage in two different Bodie Wilderness Study Area, California Area, Study Wilderness Bodie Arizona Wilderness, Canyon Aravaipa 84 Cross Mountain 227 Little Humboldt River 378 Red Mountain of these WSAs is listed under 88 Little Chuckwalla Mountains 179 North McCullough states. Each of these areas 85 Demaree Canyon 228 Massacre Rim 379 Rincon the state in which the greater 89 Little Picaho Peak 180 Pahute Peak is listed under the state in 86 Diamond Breaks* 229 Million Hills 380 Saddle Butte percentage of WSA acreage is 90 Machesna Mountain 181 Parsnip Peak which the greater percentage 87 Dolores River Canyon 230 Morey Peak 381 Sage Hen Hills located. These WSAs are only 91 Malpais Mesa 182 Rainbow Mountain of acreage is located. These 88 Dominguez Canyon 231 Mount Limbo 382 Sand Dunes counted once toward the total 92 Manly Peak 183 South Egan Range wilderness areas are only 89 Eagle Mountain 232 Mount Stirling 383 Sand Hollow tally. 93 Mecca Hills 184 South Jackson Mountains counted once toward the 90 Hack Lake 233 Mountain Meadow 384 Sheep Gulch 94 Mesquite 185 South McCullough total tally. 91 Handies Peak 234 North Fork of the Little 385 Sheep Mountain Note: Some WSAs share the same 95 Newberry Mountains 186 South Pahroc Range 92 High Mesa Grassland Humboldt River 386 Sheepshead Mountains name but are completely 96 Nopah Range 187 Spirit Mountain Lists were updated in June 2014. 93 Little Book Cliffs 235 Owyhee Canyon 387 Slocum Creek different units. 97 North Algodones Dunes 94 Lower Grape Creek 236 Palisade Mesa 388 South Fork 98 North Mesquite Mountains 95 McIntyre Hills 237 Park Range 389 South Fork Donner Und Blitzen 99 Old Woman Mountains 96 McKenna Peak 238 Pigeon Spring 390 Spaulding 97 Menefee Mountain 239 Pinyon Joshua 391 Sperry Creek 98 Needle Rock 240 Pole Creek 392 Squaw Ridge Lava Bed 99 North Sand Hills 241 Poodle Mountain 393 Stonehouse 100 Oil Spring Mountain 242 Queer Mountain 394 Sutton Mountain 101 Papa Keal 243 Rawhide Mountain 395 Table Mountain 102 Peterson Draw 244 Red Spring 396 Thirtymile 103 Platte River Contiguous 245 Resting Springs 397 Twelvemile Creek 104 Powderhorn 246 Riordan’s Well 398 Upper Leslie Gulch 105 Rare Lizard and Snake 247 Roberts Mountain 399 Upper West Little Owyhee 106 Redcloud Peak 248 Rough Hills 400 West Peak 107 San Luis Hills 249 Selenite Mountains 401 Western Juniper 108 Sewemup Mesa 250 Sheldon Contiguous 402 Wild Horse Basin 109 Skull Creek 251 Silver Peak Range 403 Wildcat Canyon 110 The Palisade 252 Simpson Park 404 Willow Creek 111 Troublesome 253 South Fork Owyhee River 405 Winter Range 112 Upper Grape Creek 254 South Pequop 113 Vale of Tears 255 South Reveille UTAH 114 Weber Mountain 256 Stillwater Range 406 Behind the Rocks 115 Weminuche Contiguous 257 The Wall 407 Black Ridge Canyon West 116 West Cold Spring* 258 Tobin Range 408 Book Cliffs Mountain Browse 117 West Needles Creek Contiguous 259 Twin Peaks* 409 Bridger Jack Mesa 118 Whitehead Gulch 260 Virgin Mountain 410 Bull Mountain Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, Nevada Wilderness, Rainbow Mountain Rocks and Islands Wilderness, California Wilderness, Rocks and Islands 119 Willow Creek 261 Wall Canyon 411 Burning Hills 120 Windy Gulch 412 Butler Wash NEW MEXICO 413 Canaan Mountain IDAHO 262 Aden Lava Flow 414 Carcass Canyon Major Milestones of the BLM’s 121 Appendicitis Hill 263 Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah 415 Cheesebox Canyon 122 Bear Den Butte 264 Alamo Hueco Mountains 416 Coal Canyon 123 Black Butte 265 Antelope 417 Conger Mountain 124 Black Canyon (I) 266 Apache Box 418 Crack Canyon Wilderness Management Program 125 Black Canyon (II) 267 Big Hatchet Mountains 419 Daniels Canyon p 126 Borah Peak 268 Blue Creek 420 Dark Canyon 2009 Passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, which created the 127 Boulder Creek 269 Brokeoff Mountains 421 Death Ridge 128 Box Creek 270 Cabezon 422 Deep Creek Mountains National Landscape Conservation System and added 30 new wilderness areas to the system. 129 Burnt Creek 271 Canyons 423 Desolation Canyon 130 Cedar Butte 272 Carrizozo Lava Flow 424 Devils Canyon p 131 China Cup Butte 273 Cedar Mountains 425 Devil’s Garden 2006 Passage of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act, which created or expanded 7 BLM 132 Corral-Horse Basin 274 Chain of Craters 426 Dirty Devil 133 Crystal Lake 275 Chamisa 427 Escalante Canyon Tract 1 wilderness areas in northern California, and passage of Public Law 109-432, which created 7 wilderness areas in Nevada. North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness, Arizona Wilderness, North Mountains Maricopa 134 Deer Creek 276 Continental Divide 428 Escalante Canyon Tract 5 135 Eighteenmile 277 Cooke’s Range 429 Fiddler Butte p 136 Friedman Creek 278 Cowboy Spring 430 Fifty Mile Mountain 2004 Passage of the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act, 137 Goldburg 279 Culp Canyon 431 Fish Creek Canyon 138 Gooding City of Rocks East 280 Devil’s Backbone 432 Fish Springs which created 14 wilderness areas in Nevada. 139 Gooding City of Rocks West 281 Devil’s Den Canyon 433 Floy Canyon 140 Grandmother Mountain 282 Devil’s Reach 434 Flume Canyon p 283 Eagle Peak 435 Fremont Gorge 2002 Passage of the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act, 284 El Malpais 436 French Spring-Happy Canyon 285 Empedrado 437 Grand Gulch which created 13 wilderness areas in Nevada. 286 Florida Mountains 438 Horseshoe Canyon (North) 287 Gila Lower Box 439 Horseshoe Canyon (South) p 288 Gray Peak 440 Howell Peak 2000 Passage of Public Law 106-554 (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001), which created 10 wilderness areas in Nevada. 289 Guadalupe Canyon 441 Indian Creek 442 Jack Canyon p 443 King Top 444 Link Flats 1994 Passage of the California Desert Protection Act, which created 69 wilderness areas in California. 445 Little Rockies 446 Lost Spring Canyon p 447 Mancos Mesa 1990 Passage of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act, which created 38 wilderness areas in Arizona. 448 Mexican Mountain 449 Mill Creek Canyon p 1984 Passage of the Arizona Wilderness Act and the Utah Wilderness Act, which created 9 wilderness areas in Arizona and Utah. p 1983 Passage of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and Management Act. Added the Bear Trap Canyon Wilderness unit— first wilderness managed by the BLM—of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness in Montana. p 1980 The BLM completed field inventories of roadless areas and designated about 25 million acres of wilderness study areas. p

Snake River Islands Wilderness Study Area, Idaho Area, Study Wilderness Islands River Snake 1978 Passage of the Endangered American Wilderness Act. The first BLM lands were designated wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System—the Wild Rogue Wilderness in Oregon and the Santa Lucia Wilderness in California. Authority for management was given to the U.S. Forest Service. p 1976 Passage of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, which directed the BLM to inventory and study its roadless areas for wilderness characteristics. p 1964 Passage of the Wilderness Act. Production services provided by the Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Information and Publishing Services Section.

Photos by Bob Wick, unless stated otherwise. Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Bear Trap Canyon Unit, Montana