WASHINGTON — With the Land and Water Conservation Fund set to expire at the end of September, the National Wildlife Federation launched a $300,000 ad campaign today to urge lawmakers to permanently reauthorize and fully fund this landmark program. The ad campaign will run in a dozen states to remind the public of the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to connecting communities and kids with wildlife and our shared outdoor heritage.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been one of the most effective land conservation and outdoor recreation programs in the world for half a century,” said Tracy Stone-Manning, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation. “This ad campaign will remind our elected officials and the public of how this remarkable program has connected Americans with wildlife, neighborhood parks and public lands. Congress needs to act now.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund utilizes oil and gas revenues from offshore drilling — at zero cost to taxpayers — to supports urban parks, baseball fields, walking and biking trails, historic sites, national parks, and other open spaces.

The ad campaign will run through the end of September. You can find the ads online here.