Lt. Gov. Blanco presents Sen. Landrieu with an award from the National Association of State Park Directors

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 25) – The National Association of State Park Directors recognized Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) with a special award for her work on the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), monumental environmental legislation that includes provisions for parks and recreation initiatives.

Louisiana Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco presented Sen. Landrieu with the award today in Washington, D.C. Louisiana Assistant Secretary of the Office of Parks Dwight Landreneau accepted the award on behalf of the Senator at the association's annual conference in September in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

"This award is in recognition of Sen. Landrieu's work on CARA – conservation in general and parks in particular. We greatly appreciate her efforts and leadership on this effort," said Glenn Alexander, executive director of the National Association of State Park Directors.

"Groups such as the National Association of State Park Directors are so important to our efforts in Washington to pass a true environmental legacy for this nation. This grassroots support is the backbone of our efforts," Sen. Landrieu said. "I am honored that this outstanding group has chosen to present this award to me."

CARA would create permanent environmental funding by redirecting a portion of offshore oil and gas revenues to states to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund's federal and state side initiatives, coastal conservation and impact assistance, wildlife conservation, historic preservation, and urban parks and forestry projects. Currently, the federal government keeps almost 100 percent of these revenues, with little returned to states and local governments to protect and conserve our natural treasures.