House on Fire in Utah. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM

Cultural Heritage and Paleontology

Center Content: 

Experience History on Your Public Lands

Humans have been present on the public lands managed by the BLM for more than 10,000 years.  Over time, these lands have been impacted by human occupation and use.  As a result, the land holds invaluable evidence of human prehistory and history.

Archaeological sites and historic landscapes give us important insights into the ways human activities and the environment have been linked together through time; how seemingly minor cultural practices can contribute to substantial environmental change. Discovering, studying, and understanding the evidence of past human influences on the land gives the BLM and the public critical background as we consider how to use and manage the same land today.

Explore archaeological resources and management on BLM-managed lands

These lands are also rich in paleontological resources, and serve as outdoor laboratories for studying the fossilized remains of plant and animal life, some hundreds of millions of years old.  More kinds of fossils can be found on the BLM-managed public lands than on lands managed by any other federal agency.  Learn about palentological discoveries and more on BLM-managed lands.

BLM Releases Guidance for Improving and Sustaining Tribal Relationships

comanche nation elders

The new BLM 1780 Tribal Relations Manual and Handbook represents the culmination of years of outreach and coordination between the BLM and American Indian tribes, and has been developed to complement the direction of the Administration and the Department.  Beginning in August 2008, the BLM initiated comprehensive outreach to the tribes that garnered valuable input for improving BLM tribal consultation policy and practice.  Tribes also provided insights regarding tribal consultation required by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  The decision to create a comprehensive manual resulted from tribal feedback. The new manual and handbook will assist BLM’s line managers and responsible staffs who carry out consultation and cooperation across a wide spectrum of resources and issues of concern to tribes.

Featured Photos

Dinosaur track site at Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in New Mexico. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.

Check out our Cultural Heritage and Palentology photo album on @mypubliclands Flickr for great photos, like this ancient reptile track from Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in New Mexico (Photo by Bob Wick, BLM).