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Our Common Ground: A History of America's Public Lands

Online ISBN:
9780300262841
Print ISBN:
9780300235784
Publisher:
Yale University Press
Book

Our Common Ground: A History of America's Public Lands

John D. Leshy
John D. Leshy
University of California Hastings College of Law (emeritus)
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Published online:
22 September 2022
Published in print:
1 March 2022
Online ISBN:
9780300262841
Print ISBN:
9780300235784
Publisher:
Yale University Press

Abstract

This book is about the little-known story of how the U.S. government came to hold nearly one-third of the nation's land and manage it primarily for recreation, education, and conservation. America's public lands includes more than 600 million acres of forests, plains, mountains, wetlands, deserts, and shorelines. The book discusses the key political decisions that led to this, beginning at the very founding of the nation. The book traces the emergence of a bipartisan political consensus in favor of the national government holding these vast land areas primarily for recreation, education, and conservation of biodiversity and cultural resources. That consensus remains strong and continues to shape American identity. Such a success story of the political system is a bright spot in an era of cynicism about government. The book is essential reading for anyone who cares about public lands, and it is particularly timely as the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

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