National Parks Club Meeting Update

Linda Harvey

The SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) National Parks Club welcomed retired National Park Service (NPS) Ranger Deb Liggett to speak on the topic of U.S. Public Lands.

Ranger Deb explained that nearly one-third of the United States is designated as federal public land which is collectively owned by the American people and managed by various departments within the federal government. Lands are given different designations and managed according to specific goals and objectives. In addition to the federal public lands, there are state and local public lands.

Four agencies manage 95% of the federal public lands. Those agencies are:

* Bureau of Land Management (BLM)—38%, Under the Dept of Interior

* U.S. Forest Service (USFS)—30%, Under the Dept of Agriculture

* U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)—14.5%, Under the Dept of Interior

* National Park Service (NPS)—12.5%, Under the Dept of Interior

The remaining 5% of federal public land is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers (under Dept of Defense) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (under Dept of Commerce).

The mission of the Bureau of Land Management is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of all generations. A couple of BLM areas in southern Arizona are Lava Flow Trail located in the Table Top Wilderness east of Gila Bend and the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area north of Sonoita.

The U.S. Forest Service was originally established to provide quality water and timber for the nation’s benefit. Congress later broadened the scope for additional multiple uses and benefits and for the sustained yield of renewable resources. According to Ranger Deb, the Forest Service has some of the best and diverse campgrounds. USFS locations in Arizona include Tonto National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and Kaibab National Forest.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with others, is responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats. There are nine national wildlife refuges in Arizona managed by USFWS. They are located in Yuma, Sasabe, Ajo, Lake Havasu City, and Douglas.

The National Park Service has 22 sites in Arizona to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration for all people. These sites include Grand Canyon NP, Saguaro NP, and Petrified Forest NP. In addition, Arizona has national monuments, trails, memorials, recreation sites, historic sites, and historic parks that are part of the NPS.

The SBR National Parks Club thanks Ranger Liggett for sharing her time and knowledge at our meeting.

SBR National Parks Club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month in the La Mesa and La Montana rooms at La Hacienda Club from 3:30 to 5 pm. Upcoming programs include a talk on Oracle State Park, and a Guinness World Record holder for a feat she accomplished at the Grand Canyon NP. Other topics include: the Manhattan Project National Historic Site, Capitol Reef National Park, Colorado National Monument, and Mesa Verde NP.

For more information, send an email to linda_harvey@hotmail.com.