The U.S Senate has announced a deal that would reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund plays a vital role in preserving Florida’s environment, as well as stimulating the economy.
For 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has been providing Florida with the means to protect the state’s environmentally sensitive land. Will Abberger is the Conservation Finance Director at the state’s Trust for Public Land. He says tourism is Florida’s largest economy, and eco-tourism has a lot to do with it.
“Outdoor recreation is a really important part of our tourism economy," Abberger says. "Each year about 1.8 billion in wildlife associated recreation dollars happen in Florida.”
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was set to expire at the end of September. Lawmakers are now working to put it to a vote in Congress.