October, 2015
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Obama used his weekly radio address to call on Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This fund is America’s most important conservation and recreation program, but anti-conservation members of Congress allowed the fund to expire on September, 30th.
www.aksitkasportfishing.com. Dove Lodge SE Alaska.
The Wilderness Society President Jame Williams reacted to the President’s weekly address with the following comments:
“For 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped millions of Americans in every corner of the nation get outdoors and enjoy open spaces in their local communities and in our national parks,” said Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society. “We are grateful to the many Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill who are fighting to save this program, and we applaud President Obama for reiterating his support.
A clean, healthy environment is an issue that we should be able to agree on. LWCF keeps our outdoors accessible and magical—counting midnight stars, hearing a coyote howl or paddling a quiet river—these are experiences Americans yearn for that we owe our current and future generations.
Americans deserve real conservation leadership which means doing the right thing today so our grandchildren don’t have to suffer from smoggy air, polluted waterways and landscapes devoid of wildlife.”
Help tell Congress to renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund
LWCF
The Land and Water Conservation Fund, last reauthorized in 1990, lapsed on September 30 when Congress failed to reauthorize the program in spite of the fact that there are enough votes to continue the program. This means $2.46 million per day will no longer be set aside to invest in the nation’s parks and open spaces. See programs at risk and county-level data.
President Obama’s address also noted the unprecedented collaboration between states and federal agencies to develop balanced conservation plans for the greater sage-grouse and the importance of working toward a clean energy future.
About The Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than 700,000 members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 109 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands.
NOTE: Featured Image is of Meredith Gower, Development Communications Specialist for The Wilderness Society.
