U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Works to Reauthorize Permanent Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin worked to pass bipartisan legislation, the Natural Resources Management Act, which reauthorizes permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The legislation passed the Senate today and also includes improvements to the North Country National Scenic Trail and requires the development of strategic plans for reducing the presence of invasive species on federal lands and in federal waters.

“Wisconsin has long been a national leader in conservation and we have a proud tradition of hunting, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. I’m proud to work across party lines to protect these traditions for future generations and safeguard the natural resources we enjoy in Wisconsin,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsinites understand that protecting public access to the great outdoors is critical to our quality of life and to our economy, so that’s why I worked to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, combat invasive species and pass on a better Wisconsin to the next generation.”

Provisions supported by Senator Baldwin and included in the final legislation are summarized below.

Reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Senator Baldwin worked to reauthorize permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the final legislation.

Wisconsin has received more than $200 million in LWCF funding over the past five decades, helping to protect places thousands of Wisconsinites go to spend time outdoors like the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the Brule-St. Croix Legacy Forest and the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Senator Baldwin has long advocated for investing in the Land and Water Conservation Fund as she has met with hunters, fishermen and sportsmen and visited forest conservation projects to highlight this program’s importance in protecting and preserving our public lands and supporting local economies throughout Wisconsin.

Improving the North Country Scenic Trail

Senator Baldwin has continually worked to extend and improve the North Country National Scenic Trail for generations to come. Provisions in the North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act, which Baldwin supports, were included in the final legislation to extend the trail and expand access to more scenic areas along the route.

Combating Invasive Species

The bipartisan Natural Resources Management Act takes on the threat of invasive species to our environment through encouraging innovation in invasive species management tools. It also requires the development of strategic plans for reducing the presence of invasive species on federal lands and in federal waters.

Expanding Access to National Parks for Wisconsin Students

Senator Baldwin has heard from Wisconsin students about the importance of protecting our national parks. That’s why she supported the inclusion of the “Every Kid Outdoors” program in the final legislation, which provides a free annual national park pass to every fourth grade student in the United States, which they can use to visit federal parks and natural areas with their families for a full year.

Supporting Wildlife Conservation

The bill includes bipartisan provisions supported by Senator Baldwin to reauthorize funding for conservation programs that protect migratory birds, and to reauthorize the Multinational Species Conservation Funds to help conserve vulnerable wildlife of international significance found outside the United States.