Hello Friends,

In good times and bad, I have always found comfort in the great outdoors, as I’m sure so many of you do. And that’s why I’m writing you today.

Our country’s public lands are at the very core of our national identity, and that is especially true in New Mexico and the West. They comprise our natural heritage – our lands and waters, our wildlife – that we must conserve for future generations. 

New Mexicans knows this better than most, because our state's parks, monuments, and incredible outdoor spaces are irreplaceable, enchanting treasures. 

That's why I'm so proud that the United States Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act this week, legislation that fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and invests in our public lands for the future.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act was passed in 1964.  My father, Stewart Udall, was Secretary of the Department of Interior at the time, and I’m proud he helped establish the LWCF. 

It’s wildly popular with the American people, and it impacts both rural and urban areas, with parks, forests, wildlife refuges, trails, wild and scenic river corridors, historic monuments, and cultural sites. The LWCF has funded 42,000 projects in the United States, and in New Mexico alone, it’s helped support over 1,200 such projects, found in every one of our 33 counties.  

Throughout my career, I’ve championed permanent funding for the LWCF at the full level of $900 million per year, because it deserves the dedicated funding my father envisioned, which we passed this week.   

How we take care of our public lands and historic places says a lot about us as a nation.  That’s why I’m proud this legislation will also fund work, over a five year period, to eliminate half the deferred maintenance backlog on public lands including national parks, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas.  

The economic benefits of the LWCF are great, and especially important now in a time of historic unemployment and uncertainty. Throughout our history, we’ve seen investing in public lands – building trails, restoring habitats, adding educational features, and recreational opportunities -- energizes both our economy and our national spirit. Conservation must be a centerpiece of our recovery at this challenging time for our nation.

And the human benefits – to ourselves, our families, our communities – may be greater.  As my father said, “plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact, plans to protect humanity.”

Our nation’s conservation heritage is uniquely American.  The bill we passed strengthens our nation’s commitment to conservation, preserving our history and cultures, and nurturing our bonds with nature.  I'm so proud that the Senate took this big step to protect our outdoors for future generations.

Best Wishes,

Tom Udall
United States Senator