New resource available for travelers

There’s a new vacation alternative for families and individuals who want to enjoy the natural wonders the American West has to offer.

The National Landscape Conservation System is a 40 million-acre collection of national monuments and other scenic places in 11 Western states.

The system was created in June 2000. Each of its sites offers a range of vacation activities for campers seeking solitude, families who want to learn about the American West, or travelers in search of unforgettable canoeing, caving and hiking experiences.

"This system was established in part to protect the remote and wild character of the West’s natural treasures, so its individual units are fascinating places to visit," said William H. Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society.

"The remoteness of these deserts, mountains, red rock canyons, and rivers offers Americans a chance to see and understand the West as it was discovered by the first European explorers.

"The term ‘landscape’ in the system’s title is key to the vision for the system," explained Meadows. "It emphasizes protecting entire landscapes of cultural and natural values, instead of preserving only disconnected islands of land that are cut off from their surroundings."

Visitors to units of the National Landscape Conservation System should be aware that this system often provides a more remote and wilder visit than do National Parks, with fewer visitor centers or other amenities.

"For those who want a glimpse of some of the true crown jewels of the West, the National Landscape Conservation System is a tremendous option," Meadows added.

The entire system is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior that oversees more than 260 million acres of land within the United States.

The system includes attractions such as Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona, Carrizo Plain National Monument in California, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah.

"People who explore these national treasures often become the best advocates for the strong protection these places sorely need," said Meadows.

To learn more, visit the Website at www.wilderness.org.

This story was provided by the North American Precis Syndicate.