The Defunding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Issue tracker and action guide
Summary
The Trump administration wants to divert millions from a fund dedicated to expanding parks and outdoor access and use it for other expenses. This action would violate the law and put local conservation projects at risk.
What's Happening
Purpose of the LWCF: The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF) is dedicated to expanding and enhancing our local parks and federal public lands. The LWCF is funded by oil and gas revenue — not taxpayer funds. At the federal level, it pays for strategic land purchases from willing sellers to expand our national parks and wildlife refuges. For example, it could open up public access to a previously inaccessible area or protect habitat for an endangered species.
Origin & Funding History: The LWCF was created by Congress in 1964. But every year, Congress had to reauthorize funding for the LWCF. Then in 2020, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act which permanently funded the LWCF at $900 million per year. President Trump, himself, signed this bill into law and considered it a landmark achievement.
Trump Asks Congress to Divert LWCF Money: In Trump's 2nd term, he changed his tune on the LWCF. In April 2025, he submitted a request to Congress to divert $387 million from the fund to pay for repairs on public lands.
Trump Undermines LWCF: In August 2025, The Washington Post reported that the administration is bypassing Congress and drafting an executive order to divert money from the LWCF. In addition, the article reports that the Department of Interior (DOI), which administers LWCF funding, has paused its work on new projects.
Congress Has Its Say: Congress is now now drafting the 2026 spending bills. The Senate's bill rejects Trump's diversion of LWCF funding to other uses. It also sets requirements for the DOI in administering the LWCF. However, there is uncertainty about whether Congress and the president can ultimately agree on a spending bill and whether Trump will follow what it says.
Why It Matters
Nationwide Reach: The fund supports conservation in all 50 states - as you can see in this interactive map of LWCF projects. It funds initiatives in national parks, wildlife refuges, battlefields, local parks, ball fields, bike paths, and community playgrounds.
Violation of Law: The Great American Outdoors Act, explicitly directs LWCF money to be spent on land acquisition and recreation, not deferred maintenance.This means any attempt to redirect LWCF dollars toward maintenance violates the intention of the law.
Conservation Threatened: The LWCF is our nation's largest and important funding source for land conservation. The diversion would threaten hundreds of local recreation and land-acquisition projects.
How To Help
Take Action Now: Please call your representative and call your senators about the 2026 spending bills. Urge them to reject Trump's proposed diversion of LWCF funding.
Support Organizations that Fight for LWCF: The Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition advocates specifically on behalf of the LWCF. Please follow them on social media. Engage with their posts to boost their reach.
