Friend --

We did it!!

Legislation to fully, permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) just passed out of the Senate. This is an incredible victory, and it's because of the hard work of Americans just like you.

You made your voices heard over the last year to speak out on the importance of public lands and the urgency of their protection. This legislation does just that by ensuring that the LWCF is fully funded, and does so through no cost to the taxpayer -- only through offshore drilling fees that are reinvested to protect land and water for all Americans.

Democrats and Republicans came together in the Senate to do this -- so the House needs to pass it now. If you agree, add your name to tell the House to pass this bipartisan bill and fully fund the LWCF today!

Americans recognize the value of public lands now more than ever -- with so many of us spending the last few months in our homes, all of us are dreaming of the wide open spaces we can't wait to visit soon.

And investing in public lands isn't only good for the environment -- it's also smart economic policy. Our outdoor recreation economy generates more than $887 billion in annual consumer spending and supports 7.6 million American jobs. In Washington state alone, the outdoor recreation economy contributes over $26 billion in consumer spending and supports over 200,000 direct jobs. Every dollar we invest in public lands generates more than $2 in economic activity.

Since its creation, the LWCF has supported more than 42,000 state and local projects in communities across the country and has invested more than $700 million in more than 600 projects in Washington state.

That's why -- in my mind -- fully funding the LWCF is one of the smartest fiscal policies we could ever make. It's not funded by the taxpayer but still benefits us all. It generates economic return to all of us while protecting wildlife refuges, historical landmarks, forests, waterways, and urban parks and ballfields in each of the 50 states -- it's a remarkable law.

We need the House to act, and we need it fast: Add your name to tell the House to pass our bipartisan legislation to fully fund the LWCF today.

Thank you,

Maria Cantwell