Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary | Facebook
The Department of the Interior has issued Secretary’s Order 3442, which provides new guidance for implementing the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Alongside this order, the department announced a record allocation of $437.4 million from the LWCF to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
According to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, “Outdoor recreation is part of our national heritage, and these historic investments will help communities across the country expand access to green spaces, restore natural areas and create more opportunities for people to get outside. The Land and Water Conservation Fund continues to deliver on its promise to connect Americans to the outdoors while protecting the landscapes that make our nation special.”
The LWCF funding is intended for developing and rehabilitating parks, conservation areas, and outdoor recreation facilities throughout the United States. Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF State and Local Assistance Program has offered matching grants to state, local, and territorial governments for acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation areas.
This year’s total allocation includes $292.2 million from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025; $117.4 million from qualified revenues under P.L. 109-432; and $27.8 million from the Secretary’s Contingency Reserve Fund.
Secretary’s Order 3442 instructs Interior bureaus to collaborate with state and tribal governments so that LWCF investments enhance outdoor recreation infrastructure in underserved or urban communities. Priority will be given to projects that support wildlife habitat, improve water quality, provide flood protection, or create new recreational opportunities.
To date, more than 45,000 projects have been funded by LWCF across every county in America. These initiatives have supported local economies as well as improved public health by expanding access to parks and recreational spaces nationwide.
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