BANGOR, PA (May 5, 2018)—To celebrate the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) successes in Pennsylvania, LWCF Coalition partners including Open Space Institute, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, and The Nature Conservancy are hosting an event at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 7th at Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This will begin with opening remarks at Kirkridge’s Nelson Lodge, followed up by a short hike on the Appalachian Trail. Then, attendees will board a bus and travel to the Maskenozha hunt club for lunch and exploration of the Northeast Connection Forest Legacy Project. The bus will return to the Nelson Lodge by 3 p.m.
Over the course of the week, the LWCF Coalition is putting the spotlight on key conservation and outdoor recreation investments in Pennsylvania. LWCF has invested more than $309 million to protect open spaces, historic sites and battlefields, and increase recreation access across the Commonwealth. From national wildlife refuges and forested landscapes to ballfields and community parks, LWCF has protected places like Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Independence National Historic Park, Flight 93 National Memorial, Valley Forge National Historic Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, Michaux State Forest, Ricketts Glen State Park, Delaware State Forest, and Mt. Pisgah State Park.
This week is part of a larger initiative to #SaveLWCF. For 52 years, LWCF has protected national parks and open spaces in every corner of the United States. But in less than 52 weeks, it could be gone forever and along with it, future protection of the places we love. The LWCF Coalition is counting down to the expiration of our most important conservation and recreation program, showcasing LWCF success stories and future opportunities in one state or U.S. Territory each week, to educate the public about what is at stake if we do not #SaveLWCF. Pennsylvania will mark Week 32 of this 52-week countdown, as LWCF is due to expire on September 30. More on the campaign and previous state spotlights can be found at www.lwcfcoalition.org