This year’s tree traveled from Carson National Forest in New Mexico, a site protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as the clock winds down on time to secure full LWCF funding ahead of the December 20th government funding deadline
(Washington, D.C.) –– This year’s tree, sponsored by the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, was harvested from the Carson National Forest in New Mexico, a site protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The tree will be adorned with more than 10,000 handmade New Mexican ornaments, representing the diversity of New Mexico’s landscapes, communities, and holiday traditions that honor the sacred relationship between their people and their land.
The origin of this year’s tree is a stark reminder of the bounty that our public lands provide to Americans across the country, which underscores the importance of programs like LWCF that ensure places like Carson National Forest will be protected for generations to come and demonstrates what is at risk if Congress fails to secure full and permanent funding for LWCF ahead of the December 20th government funding deadline.
“For almost 50 years, our national forests have provided the tree that illuminates the beginning of the holiday season on the Capitol lawn,” U.S. Senator Tom Udall said. “This year’s tree has traveled over 1,500 miles from Carson National Forest in New Mexico, home to some of the finest mountain scenery in the nation. As we take in the light from the Capitol Christmas Tree this season, we must also recognize and recommit to our most successful conservation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has helped protect places like Carson National Forest and many other New Mexican treasures for five decades. It’s past time we fully and permanently fund LWCF so that generations to come can experience the magic of our wild places.”
“It’s a joy to celebrate this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree from New Mexico’s own Carson National Forest. Stewardship of public lands like our national forests depends on full funding for successful conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund. That’s why I was proud to lead a bipartisan group of senators who permanently authorized LWCF and are now fighting to permanently fund LWCF. I will continue to do everything in my power to permanently and fully fund LWCF to ensure that the outdoor places we all treasure, like the Carson, will be protected for future generations to enjoy” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich.
“This year’s Capitol Christmas tree is a reminder of the bountiful resources New Mexico’s public lands continue to offer. For more than 50 years, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect New Mexico’s precious land and water resources that are a central part of our heritage and culture. In addition to the millions of dollars LWCF has invested in the Carson National Forest, New Mexico has received $312 million in LWCF funding over the past five decades which enables an outdoor industry that attracts $9.9 billion in consumer spending and supports 99,000 jobs in our state. In the spirit of celebrating New Mexico’s public lands, Congress must act now and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund” said Congressman Ben Ray Luján.
“In New Mexico, we value our beautiful landscapes and natural resources, but the fact that resources have historically been diverted from the Land and Water Conservation Fund puts our way of life at risk. Without fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the things that give our state pride — like the Capitol Christmas Tree or the places where our families camp or spend time together outside – will not be around for our children or grandchildren. That’s why we’re fighting to fully fund this successful program,” said Congresswoman Deb Haaland.
“New Mexicans are fortunate to call such a beautiful place home. This week’s celebration showcases how the rest of the country benefits when we preserve our state’s public lands. That is why I support the LWCF, which helps preserve sites like the Carson Forest,” said Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small.
“The land in New Mexico is a gift, passed down from one generation to the next. From that land, we are able to give so much to our children and our communities, and even a Christmas Tree to our nation – but this gift isn’t guaranteed.” said Mark Allison, Executive Director of New Mexico Wild. “This holiday season I urge Congress to honor that gift and protect it for the children of our great state and of our nation. Permanently fund the LWCF for this holiday season and all the ones to come.”
Background on the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Carson National Forest is also a site that has long been protected by LWCF the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Founded in 1964, the same year as the very first Capitol Christmas tree, LWCF is a bipartisan initiative that takes royalties paid by gas and oil companies back and invest them back into communities. From national forests to national parks and local community centers, LWCF has positively impacted the lives of Americans in every corner of the nation.
Unfortunately, Congress has consistently diverted funds away from LWCF to fund other priorities, robbing communities ability to pay for places like public parks and national forests and starving our public lands of critical investments. Without full funding for LWCF our public lands, like Carson National Forest, and clean water will suffer and ongoing projects in our communities will be left unfinished.
###
The US Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, during a ceremony on the West Front Lawn beginning at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend the lighting and to visit the tree throughout the season. The tree will be lit from nightfall until 11 p.m. each evening through Jan. 1, 2020.
