Celebrating 60 years of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
On Friday, September 4, Mount Grace, along with an incredible cohort of conservation partners, joined Congressman Jim McGovern to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF stands as one of the most impactful and enduring environmental programs in the United States. Since its establishment in 1964, the LWCF has been a cornerstone in the effort to protect natural landscapes, enhance outdoor recreation, and safeguard wildlife habitats—without relying on taxpayer dollars.
The event took place at the recently renovated Town Common in Amherst and featured an impressive roster of speakers including Representative McGovern, Senior Policy Manager Emily Myron of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, Executive Director Emma Ellsworth of Mount Grace, and others. Many speakers highlighted the enormity of LWCF’s impact across the state – pointing to its vital role in preserving some of Massachusetts’ most iconic natural and historic places like Cape Cod National Seashore, Minute Man National Historical Park and many other state and local parks, trails and playgrounds.
Emma Ellsworth highlighted the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Forest Legacy Program – a grant program that uses LWCF to meet state and local needs.
Even before the inaugural Earth Day in 1970, LWCF was safeguarding natural treasures in every state across the country. Massachusetts has received over $250 million in LWCF funding over the years – an investment that has created a legacy of public lands for future generations to enjoy. In the North Quabbin region, grants from LWCF and its affiliated programs have allowed Mount Grace to:
- Protect over 9,000 acres of working and natural landscapes
- Add more than $11,000,000 to our region’s economy through expanded outdoor recreation
- Help 80 families preserve their legacy by protecting the land they love
What these numbers don’t tell you, though, are the stories that this 60-year-old conservation fund has helped write.
“When we talk about acres protected, dollars spent or numbers of landowners,” said Emma Ellsworth, “It’s important to step back and consider what these numbers really mean, both for wildlife and people. If you are a bobcat navigating a changing climate, thousands of acres of protected land mean you can find shade on a sweltering day, shelter from ever-more-frequent storms, or a sunny, south-facing-slope in the heart of winter. These numbers mean survival for that cat and her kittens. For families able to protect their land, these figures can represent the ability to retire with dignity or cover college tuition for the next generation, all while preserving the land they've cherished and cared for. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been crucial in turning these families' hopes into reality, ensuring these unbroken stretches of open space remain protected.”
The passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020 provided permanent funding for the LWCF – with the program now receiving $900 million annually.