November 18, 2015
Media Statement by Larry Selzer, President & CEO, The Conservation Fund
“As originally designed by Congress in 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) protects America’s natural treasures – the local parks and greenways where our children play, the private farms and forests we nurture, and the federal and state public lands where we recreate – and precious resources that support our national economy and improve our overall quality of life.
“LWCF is a tremendously successful program that provides unmatched economic, environmental, social, cultural and historical value to Americans. LWCF is also an important tool for reducing the threat of wildfire, supporting local economies, and improving the management of our public lands.
“However we cannot lose sight of the critical waterways, wild habitats, historic sites and working lands that are under pressure and threatened by conversion. Our natural infrastructure supports the basic and essential everyday needs of all Americans, like clean water and air, and it provides billions of dollars in economic revenue to the states through outdoor recreation, tourism and other uses.
“When we lose a stream, a forest, a prairie or even a farm, we lose an entire ecosystem and the valuable natural resources it supports.
“It is imperative that Congress listen to the requests of veterans, children, sportsmen and women, businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, mayors, forest companies, family health organizations and a vast majority of Americas. Reauthorize and fully fund the bipartisan LWCF as it was intended. It is an investment that can and must continue to benefit America’s communities, the environment and the economy for generations to come.”
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land since 1985
“As originally designed by Congress in 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) protects America’s natural treasures – the local parks and greenways where our children play, the private farms and forests we nurture, and the federal and state public lands where we recreate – and precious resources that support our national economy and improve our overall quality of life.
“LWCF is a tremendously successful program that provides unmatched economic, environmental, social, cultural and historical value to Americans. LWCF is also an important tool for reducing the threat of wildfire, supporting local economies, and improving the management of our public lands.
“However we cannot lose sight of the critical waterways, wild habitats, historic sites and working lands that are under pressure and threatened by conversion. Our natural infrastructure supports the basic and essential everyday needs of all Americans, like clean water and air, and it provides billions of dollars in economic revenue to the states through outdoor recreation, tourism and other uses.
“When we lose a stream, a forest, a prairie or even a farm, we lose an entire ecosystem and the valuable natural resources it supports.
“It is imperative that Congress listen to the requests of veterans, children, sportsmen and women, businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, mayors, forest companies, family health organizations and a vast majority of Americas. Reauthorize and fully fund the bipartisan LWCF as it was intended. It is an investment that can and must continue to benefit America’s communities, the environment and the economy for generations to come.”
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land since 1985
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