Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that an additional $27.9 million in matching funds will be provided through the Louisiana Outdoors Forever (LOF) program to help Louisiana become more competitive in securing grant opportunities. This will in turn bring the total amount available to $37.9 million. The LOF program is managed by the LDWF.
Last month, the LOF Project Selection Board awarded funding to 13 projects based on the review, evaluation, and scoring received from LOF’s Technical Advisory Board. The $10 million invested by LOF leveraged an additional $27.9 million in matching funds from other public and private sources bringing the first year total to $37.9 million.
“This program will help meet the conservation needs of Louisiana and ensure the sportsman’s paradise will be here for generations to enjoy,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “The result will be increased outdoor recreation, more wildlife habitat, restored coastal and inland wetland habitats, the perpetuation of working lands, improved water quality and inner-city outdoor education programs. This is a prime example of what can happen when government and the private sector work together to benefit our state.”
One example of the projects funded is $651,082 for the Abita Springs Conservation Area and Nature Center in the Town of Abita Springs.
Karen Gautreaux, Director of The Nature Conservancy in Louisiana and LOF Steering Committee member said, “Partnerships have been critical to the successful funding of the first 13 high priority conservation projects approved through LOF. The Louisiana Legislature, natural resource agencies, and nonprofit conservation organizations have come together to support this program based on our shared commitment to conservation of our state’s incredible natural resources – benefiting all Louisianans and visitors from around the world.”
State Rep. Jerome Zeringue, who serves as a non-voting member of the Project Selection Board, spoke highly of the LOF Program. “Working with my colleagues in the 2022 legislature to establish the Louisiana Outdoors Forever program and secure first-year funding, I am proud to say that this year the program has conserved over 17,000 acres in the state.”
State Sen. Gary Smith, who is a non-voting member of the Project Selection Board, agrees the program was a success. “I was really pleased to see the number of applications received and that every region of the state was represented. Louisiana Outdoor Forever is bringing over $27 million to Louisiana with just the first $10 million. It would be great to see this program continue.”
Zeringue agreed. “Based on this success and the demonstrated demand for the program, I look forward to working again with legislative colleagues and partners in conservation to move the LOF program forward. Our next step is to secure funding to ensure we are leaving a better Louisiana for future generations.”
The Louisiana Outdoors Forever (LOF) Program was created during the 2022 legislative session with House Bill 762 to provide funding for outdoor conservation projects across the state. House Bill 406, also approved by the legislature that same year, appropriated $10 million in funding for the program’s first year.
To see the full list of projects chosen for funding, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/louisiana-outdoors-forever. You can also sign up for meeting and Louisiana Outdoors Forever press releases by visiting here and selecting an interest of “Conservation.”