Sherman Receives Friend of the National Parks Award for Protecting America's Parks

Washington DC – Today, Congressman Sherman received the Friend of the National Parks Award from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for his commitment to preserving America’s national parks for future generations.

“I am honored by the National Parks Conservation Association’s award, and I thank them. I will continue to work hard to protect our treasured national parks and natural space,” said Sherman.

The National Parks Award is for Members of Congress who lead efforts to protect and enhance the National Park System. The NPCA, which has 600,000 members and supporters, works to protect the park system to preserve the nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage.

One of Sherman’s major accomplishments in helping the National Park System is the protection of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The area is the most visited unit of the National Park System, with over 33 million annual visitors.

Sherman spoke on the importance of the Santa Monica Mountains for residents of the Valley. “Protecting our environment – especially our pristine national parks – is one of my top legislative priorities. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the nation’s largest urban national park, providing a variety of outdoor activities for Valley families.”

Earlier this year, Sherman worked to persuade the Obama administration to include funding in its Fiscal Year 2012 Budget for land acquisitions in the Santa Monica Mountains. The President’s budget included $3 million to acquire and protect up to 350 acres of land in Zuma and Trancas Canyons near Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the years, Sherman has helped to secure nearly $20 million to acquire and preserve critical open space and complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail.

The National Park Service completed an acquisition of 160 acres of pristine habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in April of this year. The three parcels, located between Peter Strauss Ranch and Malibu Creek State Park, were identified as high priority land acquisitions due to the undisturbed condition of the property and the richness of the natural habitat.

Congressman Sherman worked with Senator Feinstein to secure the federal funding to preserve this area near the north face of Castro Creek from future development.

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