There are over 100 million acres of public lands in the USA managed by Federal State and Local Government. These lands constitute a vital natural resource owned by all of us, providing economic, environmental, cultural and recreational benefits to our nation. Much of this land, however has not been studied in order to determine how it should be managed in order to generate the greatest benefit to society and the environment.
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Public Lands Restoration Network (PLRN) is a non profit research and advocacy organization dedicated to the study of public lands with the ultimate goal of having management of these lands informed by unbiased science based data regarding the flora, fauna and soil. We want to find specific locations - whether owned by Federal, State or Local Government entities - that would benefit from ecological studies conducted by academic experts, including water quality studies and “Range Management” studies. The results of such studies can be used to determine the optimal use of the land to both preserve it for future generations, provide habitat for endangered plant and animal species and offer recreational opportunities for local communities.
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We work with recognized Academic experts, local and federal government officials and advocacy groups, and provide a way for interested donors to fund specific, high impact studies of public lands.
Why are Public Lands important?
The U.S. has designated some 840 million acres as public land set aside for all. That acreage, equal to more than one-third of the country, is managed by a variety local, state, tribal, and federal agencies. The public may be aware of national and state parks and wildlife refuges, where most industrial or agricultural activity is not allowed, but the vast majority of pubic land does not enjoy this status and are not protected from commercial agriculture, mining and other extractive industries.
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While there is active debate over the best uses and policies for managing “unprotected” public lands, reputable scientific data is often not available. Very few areas have been the subject of ecological studies that can help determine how best to preserve and in some cases restore their natural environments, which can lead to benefits to wildlife and nearby communities.
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In addition, efforts to repopulate certain areas with native wildlife, or remove certain wildlife, need tools to evaluate the effects of species on the soils, plants, other animals and water quality of a particular area.
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In summary, there are hundreds of millions of acres of public lands, particularly in the Western US, that currently are managed without any reliable ecological and environmental data, making it hard for government officials, industry groups and the public to determine future land use policies. This resource is too important to be neglected and exploited without a better understanding of its actual condition and possible future.
Jack has been passionate about large mammal conservation efforts since the first of his many visits to Yellowstone National Park at age 13, and he has been an advocate for the California Tule Elk since he was 21. Jack is an avid amateur wildlife photographer – some of his photos appear on this website. He is also active in local politics and is currently running for a seat on the Board of Directors of the Marin Municipal Water District.
How Public Lands Restoration Network Makes a Difference
Identification of Opportunities for research - we work with environmental organizations to identify public lands where studies could be performed to determine the effects of various activities on the soil, flora, fauna and water quality, particularly in cases where public agencies may be developing long range management plans for such areas. In addition, we may see opportunities to inform public debate about the role of wildlife on public lands where different interests are in conflict, but where no scientific evidence has been gathered.
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Working with established academic experts to create proposals for ecological studies. PRLN has developed relationships with academic experts who are qualified to conduct such studies. Having studies performed by acknowledged experts affiliated with major research universities ensures that the results will be treated as unbiased and worthy of serious consideration in the decision making process.
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Getting relevant public officials to approve studies. While some studies, for instance of water quality in the ocean, can be conducted without official approval, comprehensive range management studies are best done with the approval of the government agency overseeing the public lands in question. PLRN helps to secure such approvals through meetings with officials and local politicians.
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Mounting public relations campaigns to ensure the results of such environmental studies are available to the public, other environmental organizations and decision makers.
Examples of how PRLN works
Point Reyes National Seashore Range Management Study. PLRN has gotten approval from the National Park Service for a Range Management Study of the effects of cattle ranching in Point Reyes National Seashore, to be conducted by a Professor at a major California research university. The results of the study will help the Park Service and the Nature Conservancy, who are currently working to remove most of the ranches from the Seashore by 2027, with the possibility of some grazing to remain on a much less intensive basis. This study will be funded by a grant from Point Reyes Public Advocacy, a predecessor organization of PLRN.
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MidPen Open Space District. PLRN has developed in conjunction with a University Professor a proposal to study locally controlled public lands in the Peninsula area between San Francisco and San Jose, in order to evaluate whether Tule Elk, a species native to Coastal California, could be reintroduced to the area. The Open Space District is considering expanding the area grazed by commercial cattle operations as a way to control vegetation.
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Point Reyes National Seashore Water Quality study. Point Reyes Public Advocacy, the predecessor to PLRN, has been in discussions with a national recreation/environment organization to fund a water quality study at Point Reyes National Seashore requiring volunteers to gather samples in order to determine the level of contamination caused by ranching activity near streams feeding into the ocean.
Donate
Donations to PLRN are primarily used for the printing of pamphlets, environmental research projects, and public relations expenses.
Inquiring Systems, a "fiscal sponsor” of small nonprofits, receives 8% of all donations in exchange for overhead functions including accounting, managing of funds and maintenance of PLRN non-profit tax status. Inquiring Systems, a 501c(3) organization established in 1978, sponsors over 75 non-profit organizations.
Helpful Links
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What are Public Lands in the U.S.? publiclands.com
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What We Manage Nationally - The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management. blm.gov/about/what-we-manage
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What are Public Lands? outdooralliance.org
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What is Range Management? rangelands.org