Louisiana outdoors forever program and why it's important

Louisiana naturePhoto byJoshua J CottenonUnsplash

Back on June 6, 2022, the Louisiana state legislature passed house bill 762 creating Louisiana outdoors forever program. This bill, introduced by representative Jerome Zeringue (District 52), will allow for more funds annually to be dedicated to Louisiana's nature conservation.

While House bill 762 created the program, House bill 406 will provide an allowance of $10 million towards the program's first year, funding well-needed attention to the environment of Louisiana.

The program will fund projects targeting the protection of reserved drinking water, conserving wildlife habitat, providing recreational opportunities in urban and rural areas, sustaining farms lands and forests, and many other important environmental programs in the state.

Currently, it is estimated that outdoor recreation in Louisiana generates $12.2 Billion in state revenue annually supporting $3.4 Billion in wages and salaries for Louisiana workers.

Representative Jerome Zeringue recently said, “I am proud to have sponsored HB 762, which creates the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program and Fund. This effort has been supported by members of the legislature, state agencies, and non-governmental conservation organizations. I believe the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program and Fund will make a lasting difference, allowing us to increase the conservation of our natural resources, leverage new funding sources and provide our citizens with a better future, and it is something we can all be proud of,”

State director of Louisiana's nature conservancy, Karen Gautreaux adds “The Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program ensures we will continue the important work of conserving our natural resources while growing tourism for visitors and the quality of life for Louisianians. Through the hard work of our legislature, with Representative Zeringue leading the effort, along with natural resource agencies and conservation organizations, the Program was created to benefit those who call Louisiana home, including projects from across the state, in rural and urban areas, from forests to the coast, all built on a foundation of voluntary participation”