Recreation

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today introduced legislation to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – a law that provides funding to protect sensitive landscapes and grants to states to develop recreation areas and facilities.

Right now, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is subject to the annual appropriations process. And Congress has rarely appropriated the $900 million that is authorized annually. As a result, the levels of funding for both federal and state agencies have fluctuated wildly.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced today that two of Nevada's national park units, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Death Valley National Park, will be participating in three nationwide fee-free weekends taking place this summer. "What we have in Nevada as part of the National Parks system," said Reid, "it's something that everyone should see."

This is a great opportunity for families to visit our national parks at no cost, Reid said. During these tough economic times, we want to give Nevadans an opportunity to enjoy our natural and historic treasures without straining their budgets.    » read more »

$2,423,986 in grants for four Virginia projects

June 01, 2009 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today joined Congressman Bobby Scott, Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant and representatives from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency to announce federal grants awarded to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The grants, totaling $2,423,986, will fund four projects in the Commonwealth that focus on innovative techniques and technologies to address nonpoint source pollution and environmental education related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.    » read more »

2009 National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week is May 18-24

May 14, 2009 -- Pool chemical injuries account for as many as 5,200 emergency room visits each year. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that these injuries are preventable, and during 2007 almost half of those injuries occurred at a residence.    » read more »

Nearly $600,000 will fund 24 projects across Vermont

May 12, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is funding 24 trail projects across the state with $568,170 from Vermont’s Recreation Trails Program.

Vermont’s Recreational Trails Program is a matching grant program of the federal Highway Administration for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails, and trail-related facilities, for non-motorized, motorized, multiple-use or compatible recreational trail use.    » read more »

Action fully reopens seven state sites closed last year; restores 12 full time jobs to agency

February 26, 2009 -- SPRINGFIELD - February 26, 2009. In another important step towards returning Illinois back to the people, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced the reopening of seven state parks closed last year by the Blagojevich administration. The move is another sign pointing toward the state’s renewed focus on natural resources and recreational opportunities for its citizens especially in tough economic times.

Governor Quinn made the announcement at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) headquarters in Springfield alongside IDNR Director Marc Miller, and IDNR staff and supporters.    » read more »

December 20, 2007 -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that new Global Positioning System (GPS) quality snowmobile trail maps have recently been posted on the department's Web site.

The GPS snowmobile trail maps along with other snowmobile program information can be viewed at the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr, click on Recreation and Camping, and then on Snowmobiling.    » read more »

Projects include acquisition of land for new OHV trails, improvements at existing sites, and additional safety instructors

November 8, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Governor Rod. R. Blagojevich today awarded more than $1.4 million in grants from the state’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreational Trails Program to fund improvements at OHV facilities in Illinois. The grants will help fund improvements to some existing facilities and develop new trails that will help attract riders and encourage safe recreation.    » read more »