Land Use Plans
National Forest Land Use Plans
National Forest System Lands Map:
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are the heart of what’s called the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—one of the wildest places in the lower 48 states. This wild expanse of land wouldn’t support the diversity of wildlife species it does today, however, without the surrounding national forest lands. Within Wyoming’s borders, the scenic and popular Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests buffer Yellowstone and Grand Teton to the south and east. Home to the craggy high peaks of the Wind River, Salt, Wyoming and Absaroka ranges and to the often roadless and forested foothills, these national forests not only support a myriad of wildlife species, but offer never-ending recreational opportunities and support sustainable, tourism-related local businesses. Wyoming is also the home—at least in part—to six other national forests: the Ashley, the Bighorn, the Black Hills, the Medicine Bow, the Targhee and the Wasatch-Cache.
People from throughout the nation and around the world visit the national parks and forests in Wyoming to experience what Wyoming people are lucky enough to enjoy every day: huge tracts of public land and healthy and abundant wildlife. Protecting our national forests is good for wildlife and it’s good for people. National forests provide habitat for the recovery of threatened and endangered species and numerous sensitive species. These forests also support mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and native cutthroat trout populations and provide families the opportunity to hunt, fish, camp, and hike and pass on these traditions to their children. Wyoming’s second largest economy is created by tourism-related activities on public lands.
It’s true there are many threats to our national forests—including an ever-increasing risk of industrialization associated with energy development. There are also many reasons for hope. With widespread public support, our legal and political advocacy efforts to protect our national forests from new oil and gas development are gaining ground. Similarly, we are working to ensure large areas of the national forests in Wyoming (especially roadless areas) are managed to enhance wildlife habitat and to retain the wild, backcountry characteristics that make these forests unique.