For Immediate Release:
ALBUQUERQUE: Today, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation submitted a letter signed by almost 500 New Mexicans to our states’ Congressional delegation calling for action on the Land and Water Conservation Fund. On September 30th, Congress let our nation’s most successful conservation program expired. As the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) hangs in limbo, New Mexicans are calling on our elected officials to fully fund and permanently reauthorize this crucial fund.
Founded in 1965, LWCF has been providing funding to open up public lands access, enhance city parks, and establishing national monuments. Over the years, New Mexico has received over $312 million through that have benefitted Tingley Beach, Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, the Valles Caldera National Preserve, and hundreds more beloved sites throughout our state. Without these funds – that come at no cost to taxpayers – New Mexico is limited in improving city and state parks or establishing new ones. Congress is doing a serious disservice to communities across the country and to future generations by letting LWCF expire.
“LWCF means safe and accessible playgrounds for our children, it means access to prime hunting spots, and it means protecting our shared cultural heritage,” said New Mexico Wildlife Federation Acting Executive Director Todd Leahy. “With the submission of this letter today, we’re showing that New Mexicans care about LWCF and holding Congress accountable to making full funding and permanent reauthorization a priority.
Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham have shown their dedication to getting Land and Water Conservation Fund fully funded and permanently reauthorized. We hope that, by showing that LWCF is a priority for New Mexicans, LWCF will continue to be at the top of the priority list for New Mexico’s Congress delegation as they continue this important fight.
