Author: Elise Ketcham, Communications Manager, Arizona Wildlife Federation

Elise has been a dedicated team member of the Arizona Wildlife Federation for over two years. She is an advocate for the protection of and public education about our wildlife species and public lands. A passionate birder and regular hiker, she also leads AWF's All Afield Hikes once a month.

When people hear the term “public lands,” it can mean a lot of things: your local city park, a county open space, or a nearby trail system. All of these places are public in the sense that they’re meant for people to access and enjoy.

But in conservation and policy conversations, “public lands” often refers to something more specific: federal public lands.

What Are Federal Public Lands?

Federal public lands are lands owned and managed by the U.S. government, places like National Forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, National Parks, National Monuments, and National Wildlife Refuges.

These lands are held in trust for all Americans and managed under federal law. In other words, they belong to all of us.

Depending on the agency and designation, these lands support a wide range of uses. Recreation, wildlife habitat, grazing, and resource development all play a role. Some landscapes are managed for multiple uses, like BLM lands and many National Forests, while others prioritize conservation and preservation, like National Parks and many Wildlife Refuges.

Not All Public Lands Are the Same

It’s important to recognize that not all public lands are managed the same way.

Take city parks, for example. They are still public lands, but they’re owned and managed by local governments. Their primary purpose is community recreation -- playgrounds, sports fields, and walking paths. They operate under local policies and serve a very different role than large federal landscapes.

Then there are State Trust Lands in Arizona, which fall into another category entirely. These lands are managed by the state to generate revenue for public schools and other institutions. While public access is allowed in many areas, it’s not the primary purpose -- and access can be limited.

Why the Distinction Matters

So while all of these places are “public lands” in a broad sense, they serve very different purposes and are managed under very different systems.

When we talk about protecting public lands in Arizona, we’re most often referring to federal public lands -- the large, connected landscapes that support wildlife movement, provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other forms of outdoor recreation, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

These are the places where conservation decisions can shape the future of wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and access for generations to come.