In the United States, the federal government owns a significant portion of the land in certain states, primarily for conservation, recreation, and resource management purposes. The land is managed by various agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Some states have more federally owned land than others due to historical land policies, geographical considerations, and environmental conservation efforts. Here’s a look at the states with the most federally owned land and what that means for the land and the people who live there.
1. Nevada
Nevada stands out as the state with the largest percentage of federally owned land. Approximately 85% of Nevada’s total land area is managed by the federal government. This is the highest proportion of any state in the country. Much of the land is managed by the BLM, with large areas of the state designated as national forests, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. Nevada is home to many military installations, including the infamous Area 51, and vast stretches of open desert land used for federal conservation and resource management.