ABSTRACT
America's natural landscapes are part of its distinct character and link the nation's past, present, and future. Careful planning, stewardship, regulations, and protection are needed to ensure that future generations can also enjoy and benefit from these special landscapes. The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to conserve land and water resources that benefit humans, ecosystems, and wildlife. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, established in 1965, has been a major source of funding for the purchase of natural environments and recreation lands. The National Heritage Areas program was begun in 1984 as a way to promote partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and the private sector to conserve cultural resources and historic landscapes. The National Trails System Act of 1968 had a goal to create 25,000 miles of trails. As of 2012, the National Trails System includes 11 national scenic trails, 19 national historic trails, and about 1,150 national recreation trails.
