# Public Lands Interpretive Association

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, Forest Service, and other maps helpful to users of public lands.
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.

## History

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.
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.

## Sales Outlets and Areas Managed by PLIA
### Arizona

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

### New Mexico

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

## Campgrounds

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

## American Frontiers: A Public Lands Journey

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

## Publications

Publications :
| Date | Publication |
| 2016 | Field Guide to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument |
| 2015 | Kaibab National Forest Campgrounds Brochure (Dogtown Lake, Kaibab Lake, Whitehorse Lake) |
| 2012 | Field Guide to Sabino Canyon |
| 2010, 2013 | Six New Mexico Recreational Maps |
| 2009 | Ducks at a Distance, 12th edition |
| 2004, 2008 | Trail Guide to Lincoln National Forest, 2nd Revised Edition |
| 2001 | Out and About in a Day: Outdoor Fun on Northern Utah’s Public Lands |
| 1999 | Wild and Scenic Rio Chama: River Guide |
| 1999 | Trail Guide to Lincoln National Forest |
| 1998 | Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge |
| 1997 | Dolores River Guide |
| 1997 | Grand Staircase Escalante Visitor Map & Guide |
| 1997 | Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge |
| 1995 | Trail Guide to Pecos Wilderness |
| 1994 | Wild and Scenic Rio Grande: River Guide |
| 1994 | Field Guide to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge |
| 1994 | Visitor Guide to Sandia Mountains |
| 1994 | The Escalante Community |
| 1993 | Sabino Canyon |
| 1992 | Visitor Guide to Coconino National Forest |
| 1992 | A Birder's Guide to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge |
| 1991 | Visitor Guide to Mogollon Rim |
| 1991 | The Anasazi: Why Did They Leave? Where Did They Go? |
| 1990 | Visitor Guide to Kaibab National Forest (North) |
| 1990 | Visitor Guide to Kaibab National Forest (South) |
| 1990 | 11,000 Years on Tonto National Forest |
| 1988 | From A to Z: The Biography of Arthur W. Zimmerman |
| 1987 | Heron Flats Trail Guide |