Since 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has helped create trailheads, parks, mountain bike trails and other great outdoor recreation opportunities to enjoy all across the country. Eight IMBA EPICS, from Arkansas to Montana to Wisconsin, have been made possible through LWCF funding. LWCF is a popular, bipartisan program that reinvests royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling into recreation and conservation projects across the country.

What's the problem? The program is set to expire September 30 if not reauthorized by Congress.

Despite the program's bipartisan support, 53-year history and long, impressive roster of enhancements made for trails and public lands close to home and across the country, the program is being held up by a small but strong opposition who are impeding the legislative process for reauthorization.

How can you make a difference? Contact your representatives with the tool below and urge them to take the initiative to champion the reauthorization of the LWCF. The more personalized the message, the better.

1. Ask your representatives to protect funding for the places we ride by renewing the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Permanent reauthorization and full funding of LWCF would allow the program to focus on increasing the ways it benefits all Americans, instead of wasting time on piecemeal reauthorizations year after year.

2. Let your representatives know why this is important to you—what you enjoy doing outside, like the places you like to ride, and any other activities. They need to know that real people enjoy the places LWCF helps create, enhance and protect.

Photo: Rock Lake IMBA EPIC in Northern Wisconsin, funded by LWCF