For 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has been a one of the most effective tools for federal and state natural resource agencies to conserve valuable habitat and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. But the program has rarely been funded at the full $900 million that it is supposed to receive and detractors argue that the program is no longer a good use of federal funds. On Wednesday March 12 at 10 am, a Special Session at the 79^th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference will take a hard look at the LWCF and examine its potential to meet the needs of 21^st century conservation. One of four concurrent Special Sessions, "Beyond the Land and Water Conservation Fund: New Ideas for Future Challenges" will focus on what the LWCF is, what it has done for conservation during its 50 year history, the challenges it faces, and what opportunities exist for the conservation community to address funding needs.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund was a vision of President John F. Kennedy and was signed into law by his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1965. LWCF uses the revenues from a non-renewable resource (off-shore oil and gas development) for the conservation of important lands and for outdoor recreation. America's current network of federal, state and local public lands provide an unprecedented continuum of conservation successes ranging from neighborhood playgrounds, to greenbelts connecting open spaces, to state parks and wildlife management areas, to our federal parks, forests and refuges. These lands protect vital fish and wildlife habitat and provide millions of hours of public recreation every year. Many of these public lands and recreation areas are available only because of the LWCF, and are the legacy of a program that has impacted virtually every county in every state in the country.

However, the fund was supposed to receive $900 million per year ? a small portion of offshore revenues that typically tally over $5 billion annually ? but Congress has regularly diverted these revenues for other purposes. In addition, several members of Congress have specifically targeted the program over budget concerns and in opposition to federal land acquisition. The authorizing legislation is set to expire in 2015 providing a timely opportunity to look closely at the program.

The special session during the North American will bring together leaders from the conservation community, a state wildlife and parks agency, and industry representatives to discuss what might be next for the LWCF. Speakers will provide a historical perspective on the fund, outline the challenges faced in reauthorizing the program as well as securing intended funding, looking outside the box ? how can the program be improved and modernized, or does it need to be replaced? ? and identifying opportunities for the conservation community to work together on the future funding needs of North American conservation. After the panel, time has been allotted for an interactive discussion with the audience to brainstorm how to move forward into the future of the LWCF.

"Beyond the Land and Water Conservation Fund: New Ideas for Future Challenges" is co-chaired by Jodi Stemler, President of Jodi Stemler Consulting, LLC and Gary Taylor, Director of Governmental Affairs for Ducks Unlimited.

Learn more about the 79^th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference.