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LWCF Success in Mississippi

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Mississippi’s most treasured places.  Mississippi has received approximately $138 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and the Natchez National Historical Park.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Offshore islands with snowy-white beaches, sparkling blue waters, fertile coastal marshes, and maritime forests draw visitors from across America to this 160-mile seashore.  Recreational activities range from exploring 19th Century forts to hiking in the designated wilderness areas of Horn and Petit Bois Islands.  The Gulf Islands National Seashore was originally protected in 1971, and recently the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped a broad public coalition extend protection to more coastal islands.  Gulf Islands National Seashore is a very popular destination, averaging almost 3.5 million annual visitors each of the past ten years.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Mississippi economy.  Each year, 656,000 sportspersons and 731,000 wildlife watchers combine to spend $1.1 billion on wildlife-associated recreation in Mississippi.  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.