“My family came to Arizona in the late 1800s. Our state’s history can be found in so many places and needs to be preserved for future generations. Arizona is a unique and special place from its glorious lands to incredible places. Let’s keep the West alive and our Arizona way. It was an honor to carry the bill to advocate for funding for the State Parks Heritage Fund.”
-Rep. Joanne Osborne, R-Goodyear
Thank You Representative Osborne
The Western Way thanks Arizona State Representative Joanne Osborne (District 13) for her leadership during the 2021 legislative session to help restore funding to the Arizona Heritage Fund. Thanks to Rep. Osborne, the fund was restored to received a total of $10 million in 2021.
Why is the Arizona HERITAGE Fund Important?
The Heritage Fund has made a significant impact to not just wildlife conservation efforts in Arizona, but also to the state’s economy, public access, and outdoor recreation. In 1990, the Heritage Fund was created by voters when they passed a ballot initiative by a 2-1 ratio. However, funding was cut in 2010 to deal with impacts of the the Great Recession. Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Osborne, her colleagues in the legislature, and Governor Doug Ducey, the Heritage Fund has now been restored.