Investment from the Land and Water Conservation Fund is largest in 45 years;
Florida to receive more than $15M

Laura Daniel-Davis, acting deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of the
Interior, announced the distribution of $325 million from the Land and Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF) Stateside Assistance Program to all 50 states, U.S.
territories, and the District of Columbia—the largest annual distribution from the
program since 1979. Investments from the LWCF are helping support
the ”America the Beautiful” initiative by funding locally led outdoor recreation
and conservation projects that protect and enhance access to America’s great
outdoors.

In 2024, Florida will receive $15, 748, 651. “The administration is deeply committed
to ensuring that all Americans, nomatter where they live or how much money they earn,
can enjoy the outdoors,”said Daniel-Davis. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund is
helping to deliver on that commitment through locally led and community-driven projects that are
creating greener neighborhoods, more recreational opportunities, and improved
access to nature.”

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment
to safeguard natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage, and provide
recreation opportunities to all Americans. The fund helps strengthen
communities, preserve history, and protect the national endowment of lands and
waters. Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF State and Local Assistance Program
has funded more than 46,000 projects in every county in the U.S.
In 2020, Congress permanently funded the LWCF at $900 million per year with
wide bipartisan support through the Great American Outdoors Act, which was
signed four years ago.

At no cost to taxpayers, the LWCF, administered by the National Park Service
(NPS), supports increased public access to and protection for federal public lands
and waters—including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and recreation
areas—and provides matching grants to tribal, state, and local governments to support the acquisition and development of land for public parks and other
outdoor recreation sites.

“Communities in every corner of the nation have benefited from the Land and
Water Conservation Fund’s incredible investments,” said Chuck Sams, director of
NPS. “With increased investment into locally led efforts, the Land and Water
Conservation Fund continues to represent the best of America while putting
communities first.”

Allocations within the LWCF Stateside Assistance Program for each state and
territory are determined through a formula set in the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act and are largely population-based. States and territories
further allocate these funds to local projects. This fiscal year, NPS provided
guidance to states to work more closely with tribes and underserved communities
during the development of their statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation
plans.