“After 11 years, our state’s executive and legislative branches finally came together to fund the State Parks Heritage Fund to maintain and upgrade the growing number of parks, trails and historic preservation projects that have languished or are newly proposed in every municipality, county and tribal area in our state. I’m excited to see what projects start coming out of the ground to enhance the communities in which they’re located.”
-Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge
Thank You Senator Shope
The Western Way thanks Arizona State Senator Thomas “T.J.” Shope, JR (District 8) for his leadership during the 2021 legislative session to help restore funding to the Arizona Heritage Fund. Thanks to Senator Shope, 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 when voters 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 Sen. Shope, his colleagues in the legislature, and Governor Doug Ducey, the Heritage Fund has now been restored.