As the title suggests, we’ve got some bad news. Let’s start there.
This past weekend saw the expiration of one of our nation’s most successful conservation programs–the Land and Water Conservation Fund. You heard that right. The vital program that has, over the past five decades, secured billions of dollars for conservation and open space is no longer receiving funding.
If this feels like a familiar story, that’s because it is. Three years ago, Prairie Rivers Network advocated for the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund because it is one of the best tools we have in caring for the land, water, and wildlife of Illinois. Since its inception in 1964, this program has brought more than $213 million to our state for conservation on federal, state, and local lands. For every day that passes without reauthorization, the fund misses out on millions of dollars of revenue that can be used to protect, restore, and manage our most prized places and critical habitats.
“What about this conjures hope?” one might ask. Good question.
In the wake of this bad news, there is still reason for optimism, and dare we say, celebration. There is still strong bipartisan support for reauthorization, and legislative champions of the program are working hard to get it done by year’s end. In an historic move, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a bill (S. 569) to permanently reauthorize LWCF with full, dedicated funding—this is the first time Congress has actually voted on mandatory funding for LWCF. Among the bill’s cosponsors and supporters were Illinois’ very own Senators Duckworth and Durbin.
While there is much uncertainty, we must remain hopeful and celebrate the dedication our elected officials have shown on this issue. Please take time to thank Senators Duckworth (202-224-2854) and Durbin (202-224-2152) for their leadership and commitment to the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Together, we can ensure the health of our land, water, and wildlife for centuries to come.
