Refuge Association’s Statement On Secretarial Order Enhancing Land and Water Conservation Fund Use

For Immediate Release September 5, 2025
Contact: Eden Taylor etaylor@refugeassociation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The National Wildlife Refuge Association appreciates Secretary Burgum’s efforts to increase recreational access, enhance connectivity of protected lands, and advance species protection through a new Secretarial Order for implementation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – SO 3442.

LWCF is one of the most important land acquisition and conservation tools of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Refuges use acquisition of important lands and waters to protect vital habitat for threatened and imperiled species and to increase access for Americans who hunt, fish, hike, watch wildlife, engage in photography, and seek solace in nature.

The Secretarial Order affirms the importance of the outdoors to the mental and physical health of all Americans. We agree that increasing access to urban national wildlife refuges is an important way for Americans—who are increasingly separated from the natural world—to connect to local wildlife havens.

“National wildlife refuges are Nature Next Door,” said Desirée Sorenson-Groves, the President & CEO of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “We believe all Americans, regardless of where they live, need access to our public lands heritage. Acquiring lands and waters through strategic additions to the Refuge System is an important way to ensure this legacy continues.”

The Refuge Association is pleased that the Secretarial Order focuses on using LWCF funds for conservation and outdoor recreation access rather than diverting funds to infrastructure maintenance.

“Though our refuges are struggling with an ever-growing maintenance backlog, taking valuable funds from land acquisition is not the answer,” said Sorenson-Groves. “We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to reauthorize the Great American Outdoors Act and other measures to address the Refuge System maintenance backlog.”

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As the only nonprofit solely dedicated to advocating on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Association protects, promotes, and enhances America’s wildlife heritage through strategic programs that serve the System and wildlife beyond its boundaries. The organization addresses Refuge System funding, management, and strategic growth, while also promoting programs that maximize the system’s conservation impact.