The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Sen. John Kerry today announced that he will cosponsor S. 1265, legislation to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

“As budgets for conservation are squeezed ever tighter, we again need our leaders to support this important program,” said Wayne Klockner, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. “Conservation has suffered disproportionate budget cuts. We appreciate Sen. Kerry’s leadership on this effort to secure funding to protect our lands and waters.”

In 1964, leaders from across the political spectrum came together to create the Land and Water Conservation Fund, designed to direct revenues from offshore oil and gas leases to conservation projects like the Cape Cod National Seashore and the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, as well as countless city parks and other local projects that have received grant funding. 

In the decades since its creation, LWCF has never received all of the funding that it was promised, as Congress directed revenues to other priorities time and time again, despite support for the program from many New England lawmakers. Last month, Sen. Scott Brown announced that he will also cosponsor the legislation calling for full and dedicated funding for LWCF.