WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Coalition released the following statements in recognition of the Great American Outdoors Act’s (GAOA) second anniversary and the benefits of permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund at least $900 million yearly.
“While efforts to protect, conserve and improve our public lands, waters and outdoor recreation opportunities continue, it is important to pause and celebrate victories along the way, and today on the 2nd anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act is one such time,’ said Lesley Kane Szynal, co-chair of the LWCF Coalition. “With that one act, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is forever guaranteed to be funded at least $900 million per year ensuring there are conservation and recreation projects in every state and in communities large and small. We look forward to building on this win and continuing the fight to conserve the outdoors that make our nation great and ensure equitable access to outdoor spaces for all Americans no matter where they live.”’
“In the early stages of 2020 when the pandemic was raging, stores and business were shuttered, and many treasured outdoor locations closed to the public, it was hard to imagine we would pass one of the most significant pieces of outdoor legislation in decades,” said Jessica Turner, President of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Fast forward two years and GAOA is already a huge success, permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund with at least $900 million each year and ensuring substantial resources for federal land and water management agencies to fix and maintain our parks, forests, trails, campgrounds, lakes, and rivers.
The positive impact of the Great American Outdoors Act on our nation’s public lands and waters is immense. From coast to coast, more Americans have access to the outdoors because of this legislation, and LWCF continues to applaud the legislators, advocates and outdoor enthusiasts who work every day to preserve and protect the wild places that make America so special. Examples of projects funded through GAOA include the following:
LWCF is America’s most important conservation program, responsible for protecting parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas at the federal, state and local level. For over half a century, it has provided critical funding for land and water conservation projects, recreational construction and activities and the continued historic preservation of our nation’s iconic landmarks from coast-to-coast. LWCF does not use any taxpayer dollars – it is funded using a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas royalty payments. Outdoor recreation, conservation and historic preservation activities contribute more than $778 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supporting 5.2 million jobs.
About the LWCF Coalition
The LWCF Coalition is the umbrella group of more than 1,000 state and local landowners, small businesses, ranchers, sportsmen, veterans, outdoor recreationists and conservation organizations working to protect America’s public lands and safeguard our shared outdoor heritage for future generations. For more information on LWCF and the places in each state that have been protected using LWCF funds, visit LWCFCoalition.org.
