The U.S. Senate voted this week to approve the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422), the most significant conservation funding legislation in decades. The bill fulfills the promise Congress made 55 years ago, when they created LWCF at the behest of President Kennedy: that the money from the use of one public resource – offshore oil – would be invested in the protection and enjoyment of another, our spectacular lands and waters.
We cannot overstate the importance of this legislation to communities across America. It is because of the Land and Water Conservation Fund that we have not only unparalleled national parks and sweeping trail systems, but also neighborhood recreation opportunities like playgrounds, community pools and soccer fields.
““We’ve seen yet again over the last few months just how important America’s public lands are to our well-being. This historic legislation carries extraordinary meaning for everyone who finds joy in nature.””
It’s clear that access to outdoor recreation is more important than ever. And demand for opportunities to visit public lands large and small keeps growing, year after year. Americans thrive on connecting with nature – we find joy, adventure, peace and community in the outdoors. At The Nature Conservancy, we’ve been working for increased access to public lands for decades. Our country has long way to go to ensure that our outdoor recreation opportunities are not only more abundant, but also more inclusive and safer for people from every community – no exceptions. We all have a role to play to make this happen, and this funding is one crucial step in the right direction.
Thank Senators Cantwell and Murray
“We’re proud of LWCF’s Washington roots and grateful for our senators’ strong leadership in support of this vital program over the years. Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act will provide critical investments in our public lands and our close-to-home parks – leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.”
- Mike Stevens, WA state director
In addition to the long-sought LWCF funding victory, the GAOA also addresses the deferred maintenance backlog at our national parks, directing non-taxpayer dollars to tackle critical infrastructure repairs essential to public accessibility and enjoyment of America’s shared public lands. This historic legislation was introduced in early March, before Congress turned its focus to COVID-19 relief, and represents both legislators’ return to “regular order” and a momentous achievement for conservation.
It’s also a win for our economy. The outdoor recreation industry supports more than five million jobs nationwide, generating $778 billion for our economy. Even in times of recession, the outdoor recreation sector grows. As the packed parks and trails of Spring 2020 have shown, Americans are hungrier than ever to get outside. The Great American Outdoors Act is a boon for an industry that will be key to recovery and rebuilding from the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the Senate’s approval of the Great American Outdoors Act, we turn our eyes to the House of Representatives, where a companion bill (HR 7092) was introduced earlier this month. Please take a moment to urge your Representative to cosponsor HR 7092 in the House and usher America into a new era in conservation.
