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Federal and State Agencies
Federal Natural Resource Agencies
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - http://www.blm.gov
BLM manages more than 270 million acres of public lands,
mostly in the Western United States and Alaska. Originally,
these lands were valued principally for the commodities
extracted from them; today, the public also prizes them
for their recreational opportunities and their natural,
historical, and cultural resources they contain. It is the
mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the
health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for
the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - http://www.epa.gov
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and to safeguard
the natural environment--air, water, and land--upon which
life depends. The EPA website offers great ideas about community
service projects and information on the grants they offer.
National Park Service (NPS) - http://www.nps.gov
The NPS manages over 370 national parks, monuments, recreation
areas, battlefields, historic structures, parkways, and
wild and scenic rivers. The NPS preserves unimpaired the
natural and cultural resources and values of the national
park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration
of this and future generations.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - http://www.nrcs.usda.gov
NRCS helps private landowners protect the natural resources
on their land. It emphasizes science-based assistance and
partnerships at the community level. The NRCS mission is
to provide leadership in a partnership effort to help people
conserve, improve, and sustain our natural resources and
environment.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) - http://www.fws.gov
FWS is the only agency of the U.S. Government whose primary
responsibility is fish, wildlife, and plant conservation.
The FWS helps protect a healthy environment for people,
fish, and wildlife, and helps Americans conserve and enjoy
the outdoors and our living treasures. The FWS's major responsibilities
are for migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine
mammals, and freshwater fish.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) - http://www.usgs.gov
USGS provides reliable scientific information to describe
and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property
from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy,
and mineral resources; and enhance and protect the quality
of life. USGS can provide a variety of high quality maps.
USDA Forest Service (FS) - http://www.fs.fed.us
USDA FS manages over 191 million acres of National Forests
and Grasslands, assists non-Federal landowners through State
and Private Forestry programs, and conducts internationally
recognized natural resources research. The job of FS managers
is to help people share and enjoy the forest, while conserving
natural resources.
State
For state and local resources, check the government pages
in your telephone book to locate resources close to your
home. Many of the national organizations listed previously
have regional and state offices.
Every state has some type of natural resource agency. There
may be a central agency that encompasses all the state's
natural resources and/or separate agencies that deal with
specific types of resources such as forests, wildlife, parks,
and water resources.
National Association of State Foresters - http://www.stateforesters.org
The National Association of State Foresters is a nonprofit
organization that represents the directors of the state
forestry agencies from all fifty states, eight U.S. territories,
and the District of Columbia. This site maintains a directory
of State Foresters.
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