Prepare: Read Chapters 7 and 8 in Environmental Policies and all required resources as listed in the Student Course Guide.

Reflect: As we have learned in Chapter 8 of Environmental Policies, the United States government is the largest landowner in our nation. We, the people, control the future of over 35% of the wetlands, forests, prairies, beaches, mountains and other natural habitat across the U.S. How we choose to manage this precious expanse of natural environment and how we decide to preserve and conserve these valuable ecosystems is paramount in sustaining the ecological health of our nation. However, the demands and pressures on these natural environments grows every day and we must guide and oversee the efforts of the federal agencies responsible for conserving and preserving this natural treasure. The more we understand about these agencies and the policies they are responsible for implementing, monitoring, and enforcing, the better stewards we will be of this irreplaceable environmental legacy.

Write:  In your initial post of at least 250 words, using the required resources and any additional credible resources that would enhance the strength of your argument, complete the following:

• Compare and contrast the operations of the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
• Describe how ONE of these federal land management agencies uses their associated statutes and policies to protect and preserve critical habitat and determine if habitat protection is a major part of this agency’s mission.
• Assess how either the National Environmental Policy Act, the Wilderness Act, or the Endangered Species Act has influenced this agency in its efforts to protect and preserve critical habitat (Select only ONE piece of legislation to discuss).