Friend,

From purple mountain majesties to fruited plains and beyond, there are so many places that make our country uniquely beautiful. We're lucky that our home is so rich in natural wonders -- and we share the responsibility to preserve them.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is one of the most important tools we have to protect our country's most special places. Signed into law in 1965, it has funded thousands of projects in all 50 states -- from national parks to local youth sports fields.

Thankfully, LWCF was permanently reauthorized earlier this year -- but it's still not permanently and fully funded.

That could change soon. Two weeks ago, a bipartisan group of representatives unveiled legislation in the House that would permanently allocate the full annual allotment of $900 million to LWCF. That bill has passed out of committee, and is heading to a full floor vote. While the Senate bill to fully fund this wonderfully successful conservation program is not moving at the same lighting speed, it too has bipartisan support.

Many of the vacation spots people are gearing up to visit as the weather turns warmer are funded thanks to the LWCF. Environment Colorado is committed to securing funding for LWCF and protecting all of our nation's most special places.To celebrate the success of this incredible conservation program, here's our list of five iconic LWCF-funded destinations:

Arizona - Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon celebrated its 100th birthday as a national park this year, but its stunning geological formations are the result of processes that have been ongoing for millions of years. More than 5 million visitors are drawn here each year to experience this incredible landscape.

The Eastern United States - The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail, stretching for nearly 2,200 miles, is perhaps the most famous and storied hiking route in the world. The journey stretches all the way from Mt. Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, passing through 14 states.

Florida - Everglades National Park
This enormous wetland is a habitat unlike any other in the United States. It's the largest subtropical wilderness in the country, and its 1.5 million acres of protected habitat shelter many threatened and endangered species.

Nevada - Desert National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge was originally created to provide protection for bighorn sheep, but its 1.6 million acre expanse offers habitat to many kinds of wildlife. Encompassing six major mountain ranges, this is the largest U.S. wildlife refuge outside of Alaska.

Montana - Wild Horse Island
Rising out of Flathead Lake, Wild Horse Island is used by the Kootenai Indians to pasture horses. In addition, the island offers exciting opportunities to kayak, fish, birdwatch, and more.

Together, we can ensure that these incredible places and more remain protected for generations to come.

Thanks for making it all possible.

Jeanne Bassett
Senior Associate