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LWCF Success in Oklahoma

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Oklahoma’s most treasured places.  Oklahoma has received approximately $62 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Located on almost 10,000 acres of land in south central Oklahoma, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area hosts roughly 1.3 million visitors per year.  Chickasaw protects the areas natural resources, including animal and plant habitat, while providing visitors with exceptional recreational and cultural opportunities.  The area is divided into two parts: the Platt Historic District and the Lake of the Arbuckles.  The Platt Historic District housed a Civilian Conservation Corps camp which focused on masonry, forestry, and landscaping work.  Today, guests can visit many remodeled houses from this camp.  Lake of the Arbuckles provides many great recreational opportunities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, and bicycling.  LWCF funds were instrumental in providing the balance between conservation and recreation found in Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Oklahoma economy. Each year, 683,000 sportspersons and 1.1 million wildlife watchers combine to spend $1.4 billion on wildlife-associated recreation in Oklahoma.  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.