If you care about recreation on public lands, Outdoor Industry Association invites you to join others on August 13-14 in a coordinated effort to tell Congress to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

LWCF redirects a portion of offshore gas and drilling revenue to lasting conservation programs, like creating urban recreation areas and protecting National Parks from development. In the past three years alone, the fund has benefitted over 1,000 outdoor recreation projects.

Yet the LWCF could expire in 50 days without a strong show of public support, so OIA has been working  hard to  ensure the fund is reauthorized. Companies like KEEN, REI and Mountain Khakis joined us in Washington D.C. to encourage Congress to reauthorize LWCF. Our fly-in had a great impact. Legislation to permanently reauthorize LWCF was introduced the next day in the Senate! We need your help too.

“The outdoor industry relies on access to and funding of America's public lands. Policy makers in Washington D.C. and across the country are waking up to the substantial contribution the outdoor industry brings to the economy,” said Jessica Wahl, recreation policy advisor for OIA. “That’s why it’s important to convey your support of LWCF  to your elected officials before it’s too late.”

Below is a menu of options for speaking out to save the program that has helped over 40,000 conservation projects in the United States.
 
Social Outreach

  • Tweet your Senator, Representative or customers about the importance of reauthorizing the fund in the next 50 days.
  • @CongressmanX if you want to help local businesses and create jobs in our community, please don’t let #LWCF expire in 50 days! #Business4LWCF
  • Post blogs and Facebook status updates on LWCF.
  • Want to know what’s on my mind? Losing the most important tool outdoor recreation has to protect and expand the places we can play #Outdoors4LWCF

 
Direct Involvement

  • Take 1 minute to sign your business on to the LWCF pledge.
  • Email your Representative directly telling them why the fund is so important to outdoor recreation and how protecting places to play outside directly fuels your business. 

The Over-Achiever

  • Write an op-ed (we can help!) and pitch it to your local paper. There is no better way to get the attention of your local elected officials and customers!

Hashtags

  • #Business4LWCF
  • #LWCFcreatesJOBS
  • #Outdoors4LWCF

 
Please contact Jessica Wahl with questions, or if you want assistance writing a letter or reaching out to your customers or representatives about the fund.  A handy “101” primer on LWCF can be found here.

By working together, we can ensure that the business and outdoor recreation voice help save this critical program.