The Cooperative Management and Protection Area designation was established by Congress to conserve, protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of special landscapes for future and present generations. This designation seeks to maintain and enhance cooperative and innovative management projects, programs and agreements between tribal, public and private interests. In addition, the area is managed to ensure the conservation, protection, and improved management of ecological, social and economic resources.

The Forest Reserve designation was established primarily to protect and help recover populations of threatened and endangered species as well as additional species of old-growth ecosystems that may become listed in the future. Scientific research is promoted to expand the current knowledge of Forest Reserve resources. Recreation activities center around those that foster education and interpretation of a Forest Reserve’s unique resources. The Bureau of Land Management’s first and only Forest Reserve was established by law in 1999 in cooperation with the State of California from old-growth redwood forest land acquired from private interests.

Congress established the National Recreation Area designation primarily to protect important recreation, scenic, scientific, and natural values for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Recreation activities center on water - and land - based activities associated with the natural environment. The Bureau of Land Management’s first and only National Recreation Area was established by law in 1980 in Alaska.

The Outstanding Natural Area designation was established by Congress primarily to protect unique scenic, scientific, educational, and recreational values for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Recreation activities center on those that foster education and interpretation of the Outstanding Natural Area’s unique resources. The Bureau of Land Management’s first and only Outstanding Natural Area was established by law in 1980 along Oregon’s coast.

Descriptions courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management