We have great news from last night! Thanks to you, Congress approved a massive public lands package that included permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund!
Thank you for your efforts to make sure that the LWCF can continue to provide ecological and recreation value to communities across the country. This amazing program has funded projects in every county in the country – that’s over 40,000 projects since 1965!
This bill also designates 1,340,000 acres of new wilderness, 367 miles of new scenic rivers, 2,600 miles of new national trails, and expands three national parks, including Joshua Tree in California. It also would create four national monuments, including the home of slain civil rights icon, Medgar Evers, in Mississippi (USA TODAY).
FCV was proud to join our partners with the national League of Conservation Voters and our allies across the country to push our leaders to support public lands. Thanks to you, we sent over 3,000 personal messages to the Florida Delegation, and our videos and information about the LWCF were shared hundreds of times on social media. And the result? A resounding 363-14 vote in favor (with one member not voting). Simply amazing.
For the most part, the Florida Delegation voted in favor of this bill. A special thank you to Rep. Darren Soto (FL-9) for his vocal leadership on behalf of our public lands throughout this campaign and in his entire career.
Here is the Florida Delegation vote count:
Unfortunately, we do not have any information on why individual members of Congress did not vote in favor of this bill. But as a constituent, you have every right to call them up and ask, if you are so inclined. (Let me know what they say!)
Staying engaged with your elected officials is the most important thing you can do besides voting. It pays off!
Thank you for all that you do for Florida. I do not believe this bill would have turned out the way it did if not for dedicated people like you from around the country who make their voices heard.
Together, we are making a difference.
