LWCF Funded Units in Alabama

Federal Program
Blowing Wind/Sauta Cave NWR
Bon Secour NWR
Cahaba NWR
Clear Creek Recreation Area
Fern Cave NWR
Grand Bay NWR
Little River Canyon NPres
Talladega NF
Wheeler NWR
William Bankhead NF
Approximate Federal Total	$67,000,000
State Program
Approximate Total Stateside Grants	$63,000,000
Approximate Total Federal and State	$130,000,000

LWCF Success in Alabama

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Alabama’s most treasured places. Alabama has received approximately $130 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Little River Canyon National Preserve and the Talladega National Forest.

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge

The Cahaba River remains Alabama’s only free fl owing river, and its wild habitat currently supports 64 rare and imperiled plant and animal species. Recognizing the need to protect this piece of America’s natural heritage, Congress authorized the creation of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in 2000. Using LWCF funds, approximately 3,000 acres of land along the banks of the Cahaba River have been protected. When complete, the wildlife refuge will provide countless recreation opportunities, including hiking, fi shing, canoeing, hunting, outdoor education, and wildlife viewing.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Alabama economy. Each year, 962,000 sportspersons and 1.2 million wildlife watchers combine to spend $2.2 billion on wildlife-associated recreation in Alabama. This is an integral part of the American outdoor recreation economy, which contributes $730 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supports 6.4 million American jobs (1 out of every 20 jobs in the U.S.), and stimulates 8 percent of all consumer spending, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.