Back in 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to provide federal, state and local governments funding for recreation (tennis courts, ballfields, playgrounds, and swimming pools in underserved communities) and the protection of national natural treasures, such as parks and protected forests. While the funds have been utilized on projects both large and small, helping state agencies and local communities acquire nearly seven million acres of land, over the past 50+ years most of the money has been diverted to other purposes and these areas have been neglected.
 
On June 17th of 2020 the Great American Outdoors Act (Senate Bill 3422) was passed with bipartisan support from the U.S. Senate. How big of a deal is it? It will be funding the LWCF $900 million per year (the original amount) and $1.3 billion over the next five years for the repair and maintenance of roads, housing, toilets, trails, and walkways in our National Parks. The act is a success story for hunters, anglers, and other conservationists who have been trying to permanently authorize the LWCF and get it funded for this amount. What an incredible accomplishment for the natural beauty of this country!
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Stay tuned to see the improvements we have planned for the park!
 
References:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/why-the-great-american-outdoors-act-is-such-a-big-deal/ar-BB15VqEd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_and_Water_Conservation_Fund

Although Earth Day is in April, at Galena Creek we believe every day is a great day to think about the Earth and make positive changes! Check out these tips to learn about small things you can do to improve our planet.

1. ​Reduce: The average American produces almost 4.5 lbs of waste a day (that's about three basketballs!). Reducing your daily waste will lessen the amount going to landfills. Therefore, lessening our global methane and carbon emissions. Being conscious of how much waste you produce is a great first step. Try to notice the things you throw away and consider if you can replace it with something reusable or with less waste. For example, if you use floss picks, considering buying regular floss next time, so you don't have to throw away plastic everyday.
2. Reuse: Using reusable containers instead of single use containers can have a great impact. The majority of single use containers are plastic and have negative effects on the environment. Bringing your own grocery bags and containers for the bulk section are a couple options. When you're at the grocery store, consider buying things in glass jars or other sturdy containers that are easy to clean and reuse.
   
3. Recycle: Recycling appropriate products such as paper, metal and glass gives those objects a second life. Pay attention to local rules and regulations to find out what you can recycle!
   
4. Turn off lights: Not only can turning off lights when they are not in use save money on your electric bill; but it also helps lessen harmful impacts on the planet!
   
5. Carpool: Another money saving option! Carpooling with coworkers and to community activities can lessen the wear on your car along with lessening your gas bill. The effects that carpooling have on the planet is great! Share a ride and save the planet!
   
6. Water conservation: Living in a dry desert area, it is important to conserve water. It takes a lot of resources to clean, purify and heat the water that comes out of the faucet. Water is a resource, and it is important to conserve and protect our resources. Consider taking shorter showers, turning the water off while you brush your teeth, and setting your sprinklers to come on at night when there is less evaporation.
   
7. E-waste: Electronics have a HUGE impact on our environment. Properly recycling unwanted electronics can give another life to those harmful materials. You can also consider getting your electronics repaired rather than replacing them when they still have life!
   
8. Sustainability: There are many ways to live a sustainable lifestyle. Switching to a vegetarian/vegan diet (even just once a week), biking instead of driving, and communal living are great ways to have a more sustainable lifestyle. 
   
9. DIY: Repairing that hole in your shirt, instead of buying a new one is a great alternative to lessen the impact on our planet. Gardening also is a great DIY project. Making things yourself is a great activity and guarantees you'll have something unique and special to you.
   
10. Buy local: Farmers markets and homemade items are a great resource. Buying local products lessens the miles and resources used to get those products into your hands. It also helps keep money in your community!
    

Take a walk around the Galena Creek Recreation Area, and you might notice this odd-looking, red plant. They're starting to pop up around the park, and often they are found next to last year's stalks!
Pinedrops are a peculiar species in that they do not contain Chlorophyll - the pigment that makes plants green and allows them to photosynthesize. This means that Pinedrops must steal their nutrients from surrounding species to survive; in other words, they are a parasitic plant. When the plant initially sprouts, it first "digs" into the soil in search of a "host" - typically fungi and the roots of nearby trees - and then shoots upward to begin bearing fruit. This is why Pinedrops are found in close proximity to larger species such as pine trees.
Pinedrops can be identified by their tall, skinny frames and bulb-like fruit. They can be found growing throughout the park between June and August, though the strongest stalks make it through winter and are still common even this time of year. Come for a walk around the Galena Recreation Area and see how many Pinedrops you can find!