Three of our most effective conservation programs are the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR). Funding for these programs has declined dramatically during the past decade. This decline comes at a time when natural, cultural and recreational resources are facing a wide variety of threats. For example, we are losing open space to development at a rate exceeding one million acres per year.

The American Heritage Trust legislation would establish a self-perpetuating trust to ensure a continual and stable level of funding for the LWCF, HPF, and UPARR. The legislation would reverse the decline in spending and allow all levels of government to deal more effectively with major conservation opportunities throughout the country.

The legislation has been co-sponsored by 39 members of the Senate. LCV has included co-sponsorship of American Heritage Trust as a pro-environment position.