It's official: LWCF is fully funded

And with the stroke of a pen, it became official: The Land and Water Conservation Fund now has full and dedicated funding. That means that $900 million will be committed each year to protecting important land, water and recreation areas that benefit all Americans.

President Donald Trump today signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law. That moment marked the conclusion of our community's 50-year effort to secure full funding for LWCF, which uses a small portion of revenues from offshore oil drilling for conservation.

This is a bipartisan victory for a bipartisan cause. Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 310-107 to pass the Great American Outdoors Act. The Senate voted 73-25 in June to do the same. I was gratified to see so many members of Congress from both sides of the aisle come together to support such an important bill. And now that bill is law.

You helped make this happen. As advocates, as donors and as supporters of land conservation, you ensured that our parks are properly funded, our national treasures are protected and we can continue to expand Americans' access to the outdoors.

Enjoy this moment. Because thanks to you, all who come after us will enjoy the land.

Andrew Bowman is president and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance.