The Great American Outdoors Act is a huge win for conservation

After passing through the United States Senate and House of Representatives earlier this summer, this week the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law! Referred to as “an historic achievement” (Southern Environmental Law Center) and “the biggest land conservation legislation in a generation” (Harvard’s Linda Bilmes), this landmark bill will fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), providing billions of dollars in funding for parks, trails, and public lands and waters across the country each year.

The LWCF has funded projects in nearly every county in the country, including each of the Upstate’s ten counties. Caesars Head, Jones Gap, Keowee-Toxaway, and Croft State Parks, Cleveland Park (both in Greenville and Spartanburg), Stumphouse Tunnel, and Chau Ram County Park are just some of our region’s spaces that have received grants from the LWCF. Future funding can mean further investing in Upstate residents' physical and mental health, and boosting local economies through tourism and outdoor recreation.

Thank you to all who reached out to their representatives to pass this important legislation — your voice made a difference! And our sincere thanks to our Upstate representatives who supported this bill: Senator Lindsey Graham (who co-sponsored the Act), Senator Tim Scott, and Representative Jeff Duncan. You can find contact info below to thank them for supporting this important legislation:

Senator Lindsey Graham
290 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Send an email

Senator Tim Scott
104 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Send an email

Representative Jeff Duncan
2229 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5301
Send an email