Washington, D.C. – More than two months after Congress allowed the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to expire, the League of Conservation Voters announced $50,000 in digital ads pressuring members to permanently reauthorize and fully fund our nation’s best parks program before the end of the year. The ads focus on Representatives Rob Bishop (UT-01), Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Paul Ryan (WI-01), as well as Senators Steve Daines (MT), Cory Gardner (CO) and Lisa Murkowski (AK).

“By allowing the Land and Water Conservation Fund to expire in September, Congress failed communities all over the country that depend on this long standing program to create local parks, enhance access to our public lands, and fuel the outdoor recreation economy,” said Alex Taurel, LCV Conservation Program Director. “With time running out in this Congress, the time to step up is now. Senators and House members who claim to support our public lands are running out of excuses.”

The nationwide digital campaign includes targeted Facebook ads calling out members of Congress with input on public lands issues for allowing the program to expire and prompting their constituents to speak out. The ads are part of LCV’s $1 million “Our Lands, Our Voice” campaign, launched this summer to permanently reauthorize and fully fund America’s best parks program.  

LWCF expired on September 30th, following months of inaction from congressional leadership to to restore this program despite wide bipartisan support. The over 50 year old program has helped protect some of America’s most iconic landscapes, including the Grand Canyon and the Appalachian Trail. It has also supported urban open spaces, from New York City’s Central Park to neighborhood ball fields and local parks in nearly every congressional district.

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