Bureau of Land Management Urban Programs

The mission of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. BLM manages activities including outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, energy production and the conservation of natural, historical and cultural resources. Increasingly, Americans are relying on their public lands as a contributor to economic vitality and community well-being. But the public lands remain virtually unknown to millions of people living in urban centers and provide an untapped source for engagement, particularly for diverse inner city youth. The BLM is actively pursuing activities to engage youth and others, including veterans and military families, providing meaningful education, recreation, and employment opportunities.

Programs

BLM and Student Conservation Association Veterans Field School work cooperatively to train veterans in a series of introductory courses suitable for preparing the graduates for entry-level positions within a federal land management agency. 

BLM partners with the Catch a Special Thrill for Kids Foundation to promote the health benefits of safe, accessible outdoor recreation for youth with disabilities and/or disadvantages through fishing activities and events.

Hands on the Land provides curriculum-based education in natural and cultural settings through an interagency network of outdoor classrooms developed in partnership with local schools including several in urban districts.

BLM coordinates projects for National Public Lands Day where volunteers help restore national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, forests, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes, and reservoirs, as well as state, county, and city parks that are managed by federal, state, and local governments.