Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior announced billions of dollars in investments to protect public lands across the United States funded through the Great American Outdoors Act.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced nearly $3 billion in investments to protect and sustain our public lands and support schools funded through the Bureau of Indian Education for Fiscal Year 2025. Proposed projects are slated for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and multiple U.S. territories.
The Great American Outdoors Act was passed with bipartisan majorities in 2020. The historic bill permanently funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund, guaranteeing $900 million annually for the improvement of parks and public lands across the country. It also provided significant funding to address the unaddressed maintenance backlog currently affecting our national parks and public lands.
- 83 National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) projects proposed by DOI.
- 89 bundled LRF projects proposed by USDA.
- Projects proposed for all 50 states, DC, and multiple U.S. territories, across urban, suburban, and rural areas.
- Projects will support more than 20,000 jobs and contribute more than $2.5 billion to the economy.
- DOI will direct $681.9 million for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) programs, including $313 million for land acquisition.
- DOI will also invest more than $160 million to fund 48 projects in as many as 30 states across the country.
- U.S. Forest Service proposes $94.2 million to fund 13 Forest Legacy Program projects and $124 million to fund 16 Land Acquisition Program projects for recreation access and other needs.
In response, Sierra Club Director of Conservation Dan Ritzman issued the following statement:
“The Great American Outdoors Act was a milestone for our public lands and parks, and showed how conservation can and should be a bipartisan priority. Simply put, investing in our public lands is a win – for landscapes, ecosystems, wildlife, recreation, and our economy. These projects will restore some of our most fragile public lands and waters, expand access to nature, and ensure that these unparalleled public resources are protected and supported for generations to come.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.