Feb 2008 RTCA header
Land & Water Conservation Fund:
A Conservation Giant

Land & Water Conservation Fund

LWCF 2007 Annual Report

National Recreation and Park Association

History of LWCF

LWCF Projects by County












































What is the Land & Water Conservation Fund?

"Its design was so visionary, and it's impact so giant and so ubiquitous, sometimes it's hard to see." That's how NPS staffer Charlie Tracy describes the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a program established in 1965 that has funded over 40,000 outdoor recreation projects in 98% of the counties in the U.S. Says Michael Wilson, the national manager of the LWCF State Assistance Program, "You'd be hard pressed to find a friend or family member who hasn't enjoyed outdoor recreation in a LWCF-funded project, though most of them may not have been aware of it."

LWCF has three characteristics that make it a powerhouse program even after four decades and a model for everything that followed. First, it's the original conservation partnership, requiring at least a 50% state or local match for federal funds. That means that the federal government's $3.7 billion has been matched for a minimum of $7.4 billion in recreation projects. Second, any state that wants to participate is required to prepare a statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan (SCORP), keeping thoughtful planning on the frontburner. Finally, any projects created with LWCF funds must remain open for public recreation forever. Says Tracy, "Partnership, planning and ongoing stewardship: that's how LWCF has created the legacy of our nation's basic outdoor recreation infrastructure, so that over the years, these parks bring incredible value to their communities as development occurs around them."


What is Eligible for LWCF Funding?

LWCF funds can be used for land acquisition, statewide recreation planning, and development of virtually any project that provides outdoor recreation, from the creation of state parks to pocket parks, from ballfields and tennis courts to facilities for hunting, fishing, and boating, and from visitor facilities and restrooms to equestrian parks. LWCF won't, however, fund spectator-oriented projects, such as a big-league sports stadium, or projects primarily geared to tourism.


Recent Examples of LWCF Projects

LWCF funds literally thousands of projects in smaller recreation areas, but grants have also helped to acquire and develop new parks of statewide or national significance. In the Northeast region, that includes projects such as the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. To view other projects in your area that have received LWCF funding, click on the links at left.


How Can Communities Access LWCF Funding?

Each state receives LWCF funds from the federal government, and they decide how they're going to allocate them (whether smaller amounts to a lot of communities, or a major infusion to a key project). The agency distributing the funds varies by state, but it's usually the office that oversees the state's parks. A link to state contacts appears on the LWCF homepage. Says Mike Phillips of the National Recreation and Park Association, "If you have a great project and the one obstacle between you and serving your community better is capital, then the federal government can assist you through LWCF. It's almost like seed money to match your share and help you fulfill this high level vision."


Let's Work Together

If you're working on restoring a river, building a trail, or making an urban park flourish, we'd love to talk with you about ways we might be able to work together. Please call or email your regional representative today to determine if your project is a good fit. Find more information and previous newsletters here.

Apply for NPS assistance by August 1. Could your project benefit from 1-2 years' staff time and technical assistance from a National Park Service specialist? We want to help you succeed. Download a program application; the deadline is August 1, 2008.


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