Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA) is a cooperating (or interpretive) association whose mission is to “inspire and educate the public about the natural and cultural heritage resources of America’s public lands.” PLIA operates https://www.publiclands.org where maps can be purchased and an interactive recreation map can be accessed to find public lands sites. PLIA provides those wanting to visit public lands with information and educational materials such as up-to-date fire news and alerts, and an online map center with Bureau of Land Management,^[1] Forest Service, and other maps helpful to users of public lands.^[2]

PLIA is one of more than hundred 501c(3) not-for-profit interpretive associations which support public land agencies throughout the United States. The national umbrella organization of interpretive associations is the Public Lands Alliance.

PLIA (formerly Southwest Natural and Cultural Heritage Association) was formed in 1981, and is affiliated with the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.^[3]

Revenues are derived from PLIA sales outlets, a campground concession, publishing and product development, online sales, donations. Net revenues support PLIA’s interpretive and educational efforts.

USDA Forest Service:

• Apache Sitgreaves NF:

• Clifton Ranger District Office, Clifton

• Coronado NF:

• Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, Tucson

• Palisades Visitor Center, Mt. Lemmon

• Sierra Vista Ranger District Office, Hereford

USDA Forest Service:

• Gila NF:

• Glenwood Ranger District Office, Glenwood

• Lincoln NF:

• Sacramento Ranger District Office, Cloudcroft

• Smokey Bear Ranger District Office, Ruidoso

Bureau of Land Management:

• Fort Craig Historic Site, Socorro
• New Mexico Public Lands Information Center, Santa Fe
• Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center, Pilar
• Wild Rivers Recreation Area, Cerro

• Art Zimmerman Visitors Center

• Valley of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo

• Valley of Fires National Recreation Area Visitor Center

Since 1991, PLIA has operated four campgrounds, doing business as Southwest Recreation, under a special use permit on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest near Williams, Arizona.

Campground locations:

• Kaibab Lake
• White Horse Lake
• Dogtown Lake

In 2002, PLIA mapped out a Canada-to-Mexico trek exclusively on public lands called American Frontiers: A Public Lands Journey.^[4] This was the first trek through the United States done entirely on public land.