Great American Outdoors Act celebrates first birthday

One year ago, amid a tense election season and a global pandemic, Congress came together to protect America’s natural heritage.

Mary Katherine Moore

One year ago, amid a tense election season and a global pandemic, Congress came together to protect America’s natural heritage.

On Aug. 4, 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law, securing permanent funding ($900 million annually) for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and billions in short-term funding to repair our national park infrastructure. For years, Environment America staff and members rallied support across the country for LWCF, which has already funded hundreds of new conservation projects, from Texas’ Big Bend National Park to Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail.  

“​​The Great American Outdoors Act has been a sweeping victory for the United States’ lands, wildlife and communities,” said Environment America Conservation America Campaign Advocate Alex Peterson. “This once-in-a-generation conservation law has allowed us to protect endangered habitats and secure public access to our country’s natural treasures.”

Environment America is building on this consensus around protecting our public lands to secure more conservation victories.

Read more about the anniversary. 

Learn more about our Conservation campaign.

 

Photo: Environment America advocates distributed signs to members as we drummed up support for the act. Credit: Suzanne Navarro Photography

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Mary Katherine Moore

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