Governor Strickland supports the protection of open space

EE Advocates –
Attached is a Governors’ Dear Colleague letter supporting full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which provides matching grants to states and local units of government to acquire and develop parkland and protect natural resources. The LWCF grant program has benefited all 88 counties in Ohio, but has been woefully underfunded since the mid 1990’s. If passed by Congress, the CLEAR legislation would make the LWCF a dedicated source of funding for open space rather than a fund that would be subject to annual appropriation. How does this relate to LNCI, environmental education or literacy? Governor Strickland has taken a significant action by committing to the value of protecting public lands in Ohio and ensuring that these spaces are permanently accessible to children and families. It seems that Governor Strickland’s support for LWCF could lead to his visible support for NCLI. National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 25, which may be a date to consider for a fall environmental education event? I know our effort exceeds a celebration of public lands, but there is a definite connection that is worth consideration.
Thanks
Mark Young

Letter from Strickland