Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Christian Faith

Our nation’s public lands and waters are God’s gift to the American people, and God’s call for us to treasure and steward what we have received. Hiking with your family in a national park, hunting in a national forest, and fishing in national rivers and lakes are all possible thanks to our nation’s shared belief that we all deserve to enjoy this beautiful creation. Our elected officials have sworn to hold in trust our most valuable resources for both present and future generations, and for decades they have ensured that sufficient funding is available to protect and upkeep those resources. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is Congress’s bipartisan commitment dating back to 1964 that has for over 50 years provided the funding for our public lands and waters, as well as drinking water, working forests, and historic battlefields, using royalties paid by offshore oil and gas drilling rather than taxpayer money. This sensible system of respecting our past, balancing our expenditures, and investing in our future reflects both Christian and American values.

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Unfortunately, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is no longer the secure source of protection and stability that it once was for the American people. As Congress has repeatedly diverted funding to other areas outside of lands and waters, a huge backlog of federal and state needs has grown, with our parks, forests, and battlefields all billions of dollars behind in restoration. Ensuring the continued resplendence and resilience of our public lands and waters is still a top priority for the American public, but Congress’s recent budget proposals did not reflect the same values. Fortunately, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have expressed renewed support and appreciation for the LWCF this year. A bipartisan Senate bill called the Great American Outdoors Act would permanently authorize full funding for the LWCF, and President Trump tweeted his support of it in March of this year.

Take Action

To ensure that our incredible mountains, beaches, forests, and streams, as well as landmarks of our national history, remain intact for future generations to enjoy, encourage Congress to pass the Great American Outdoors Act. You can call (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your Senator or Representative.

Some suggested talking points to use when contacting your elected officials include:
* Our nation’s commitment to caring for our abundant national resources is one of the reasons I am so grateful to be an American. I want future generations to both enjoy these resources and learn the value of stewardship that we practiced to protect them.
* During this unprecedented crisis, Congress should be prioritizing the long-term health of our nation and our economy. Protecting our public lands, waters, and refuges, and the millions of jobs that they support, is one of the best means of doing so.
* Storytelling, learning, and exploring outdoors are invaluable means of connecting with our families and with our national heritage. Please pass the Great American Outdoors Act to keep this tradition alive and well.