Action Alert: Support the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Do you recreate in Nevada or New Mexico?
Act Now to Support Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in Nevada and New Mexico
LWCF In Action
The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 enacted funding to assist with "federal, state and local efforts to protect land in our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, national trails, and other public lands; to preserve working forests and ranchlands; to support state and local parks and playgrounds; to preserve battlefields and other historic and cultural sites; and to provide the tools that communities need to meet their diverse conservation and recreation needs" (lwcfcoalition.org). The LWCF is a vital extension of our existing historic and cultural preservation systems.
The LWCF is generally used for three purposes (Land and Water Conservation Fund: Overview, Funding History, and Issues):
Federal land acquisition for outdoor recreation by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management;
A state-side matching grant program to assist in recreational planning, acquiring recreational lands and waters, and developing outdoor recreational facilities; and
Funding for other federal programs with natural resource-related purposes, such as the Forest Legacy Program and the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.
Every five years, a state has to release a Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan (SCORP) in order to gain access to LWCF funding. During the SCORP process, a state does a comprehensive review of its recreation opportunities which will inform how LWCF can be used in the state. It is important for the public to be involved with this process so your community's outdoor recreation needs are represented in the final plan.
Nevada SCORP Survey
Participate in Nevada's recreation planning process by taking this survey
The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and the Nevada Division of State Parks announced the release of a public survey that will inform their state's SCORP. Weigh in by taking the survey and share your voice to help guide outdoor recreation development in Nevada. This survey is available until March 31.
New Mexico SCORP Survey
Your input can help gain a better understanding of (getoutsidenm.org/participate):
The strengths of New Mexico's outdoor recreation opportunities, including events and facilities;
Outdoor recreation opportunities that are underutilized or underdeveloped including events and facilities;
Areas and places that are lacking recreation opportunities/facilities and what types of outdoor recreation facilities would provide these areas with the greatest benefits;
Strengths, weaknesses, issues, and opportunities of outdoor recreation resources on public lands; and
Opinions of out of state visitors regarding strengths, issues, and opportunities for current outdoor recreation resources in New Mexico.
Stay up to date on the New Mexico SCORP process by signing up for updates here.