Protected Conservation Lands
A failed attempt to quantify the amount of lands in conservation ownership within the Appalachian LCC has further high-lighted the need for data sharing and standardization among states, agencies and organizations – an important goal of the national LCC network. Better information is available for Federal agencies: Federal ownership is approximately 12% in the Appalachian Region, with National Parks and Forests being the primary land holders of the Federal community, at 1,800 and 24,750 square miles respectively. The Department of Defense owns approximately 1,500 square miles, Tennessee Valley Authority 1,190 square miles, and Fish and Wildlife Service approximately 327 square miles.