At a time when conservation work is increasingly complex and challenging, success typically means that hundreds of things had to go just right. But every now and again, all of those hundreds of little things that add up to successfully saving our special natural places are dwarfed by a single moment of outsized consequence. This is one of those moments.
As a supporter of the redwoods, you understand how important it is to protect America’s iconic landscapes and to ensure that people will be able to enjoy them for generations to come. What you might not know is that of all the tools in the conservation toolbox, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has had more positive impact across the country than any other.
For 50 years, the LWCF has provided critical funding for land and water conservation projects, outdoor recreation access and the continued preservation of our nation’s historic, cultural and iconic landmarks.
But in 10 short months, September 2015, the LWCF’s authorizing legislation will expire. If not reauthorized, conservation and recreation projects in California and around the country will slow to a crawl, and opportunities to save special places and critical natural and historic landscapes will be lost.
But, your voice can help ensure the continuation of federal funding to conserve and create access to these lands, including parcels of magnificent redwood forests that Save the Redwoods League is working to protect.
President Obama’s budget request includes a proposal to establish dedicated mandatory funding for the LWCF, with full funding at $900 million a year beginning in 2015. The LWCF is not funded by taxpayer dollars, but from a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling allocated for outdoor recreation and conservation as mitigation for the depletion of our natural resources. For 50 years, this has been the primary funding source for federal land acquisition.
Many of the most magnificent redwood parks and reserves you and generations of Americans have enjoyed — and which you have helped the League to protect over the years — have also been partially funded by the LWCF; including Redwood National Park, Muir Woods National Monument, Headwaters Forest Reserve, Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia National Park. Redwood National Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (home of Muir Woods) are among the magical places recommended for LWCF funding in the President’s fiscal year 2015 budget.
Please use this quick and easy widget (scroll to the bottom of the page) to contact your local representative and tell them you support LWCF reauthorization. Together, we can make sure our natural treasures and recreational opportunities are protected for everyone to enjoy.
