Environment

Armed forces are responsible for managing considerable ranges of land, and as a result, they are among the largest environmental managers in the world. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) managed (in 2004) approximately 30 million acres (48,000 square miles) that contain an astonishing variety of natural and cultural resources in a wide and diverse range of environments, including prairies, deserts, mountains, jungles, arctic tundra, reefs, inland waters, and oceans, that contained critical animal habitat, endangered flora and fauna species, and national and international archaeological and architectural treasures. To successfully integrate land stewardship responsibilities with training demands, and during operational deployments, armed forces employ a variety of methodologies. This entry discusses the efforts of the DOD to manage and protect natural and cultural resources.

Proper environmental ...