Conservationists Craft Wish Lists for Proposed Increase in Federal Aid

A proposal pending in Congress would increase the amount available for the federal government to buy land for national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges — so conservation groups have begun to draw up wish lists for expanded green spaces, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Environmentalists are arguing that an economic downturn is the time to step up preservation efforts. “Property values are not today what they were a year ago. So every dollar invested … buys a little bit more habitat, a little bit more recreational trail, a little bit more scenic vista,” said Alan Front, a senior vice president of the Trust for Public Land.

President Obama’s budget proposes to spend $420-million next year on such purchases, more than double what Congress approved for 2009, and he has called for an increase in the annual amount spent to $900-million within five years.

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