The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established in 1965 by Congress to provide funds and grants to governments at all levels to purchase lands for preservation and conservation.
The program is funded by off-shore drilling leases and separation fees. In 2015, Congress chose not to renew the LWCF, and it will run itself out sometime this fall. Idaho Matters discusses the role of the LWCF in preserving the West and its contribution to preservation and conservation in Idaho.