Public lands refer to any land that is owned and managed by a government agency or department, rather than being privately owned. These lands can be used for various purposes such as conservation, recreation, mineral extraction, logging, or grazing, depending on the policies of the governing body in charge of managing them. Public lands are often considered to be part of the commons - meaning they belong to all citizens and are managed for the benefit of everyone. In many countries, public lands make up a significant portion of the total land area, and can include national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, grasslands, and other natural areas.