WASHINGTON, March 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, is this week remotely connecting advocates with lawmakers through Land Trust Alliance Virtual Advocacy Days.
Starting March 30, an expected 170 land trust professionals from 36 states are connecting with each other and their elected representatives through a variety of platforms, including video conferencing. As they thank legislators for taking swift action in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Virtual Advocacy Days participants are noting the growing need for conserved lands as more Americans are seeking open spaces for respite and recreation. Many people are using local, conserved lands to protect their physical and mental health.
"Congress has no higher calling at this moment than to ensure America and Americans are protected as much as possible from the ongoing pandemic," said Land Trust Alliance President & CEO Andrew Bowman. "But there are other measures pending before Congress that are widely recognized as important for land conservation and our economy. We are working closely with our allies on Capitol Hill to ensure these bipartisan measures remain ready for action."
Specifically, bills that would end abuse of a federal conservation tax benefit and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund are top priorities. The Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act (S. 170 and H.R. 1992) stops people from profiting through charitable conservation donations; the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422) protects select lands and waters at no cost to taxpayers. More information on these bills is available at http://www.landtrustalliance.org/advocacydays.
"Increasingly, Americans need open lands and clean waters," Bowman said. "These bills ensure those outcomes at no cost to taxpayers. This is why these bills have won bipartisan support – and why these bills are ready for passage."
Land Trust Alliance Advocacy Days runs for three days, concluding April 1. Scheduled speakers include IRS Chief Counsel Michael J. Desmond and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana).
For more information about Advocacy Days, including a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.landtrustalliance.org/advocacydays. Media wishing to interview Alliance principals or other event participants should contact Joshua Lynsen, the Alliance's media relations manager, at [email protected] or 202-800-2239.
About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at http://www.landtrustalliance.org.
SOURCE Land Trust Alliance
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