Perspectives: opportunity is now: NRPA members, especially citizens, need to reach out to newly elected members of Congress.

The old adage "opportunity only knocks once will be quite applicable for NRPA and our advocacy efforts this coming year.

The November election results clearly indicate a change in American politics. The new Congress will only be seated for a few weeks when the 2007 National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation convenes in Washington, D.C., on Feb 14-16. The Congressional agenda, with its new priorities, procedures and processes will be in the formative stage, creating a unique opportunity for NRPA, as one of the first major associations to visit Congressional offices to help shape this agenda. To be effective, we need to engage all our citizens and professionals alike in this effort.

As the political power in Congress shifts, the result will be the formation of new alliances and new relationships, with new lines of power and authority being developed. Key House and Senate committee chairmanships will be changed, likely bringing new priorities to the forefront of the full floor.

One such priority will be for NRPA to sustain its advocacy for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance program. Although the flagship legislation for parks and recreation at the local and state level won a great victory at the end of the 109th Congress by being incorporated into the long-debated Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, members will need to still push for funding. This bill, just signed by the President, dedicates 12.5 percent of new offshore drilling lease revenues to LWCF, the first time such funding will be dedicated to the LWCF program and not subject to the annual appropriations process. But this funding won't begin for years to come.

This year, the annual appropriations for LWCF were slashed, and without our advocacy, it will continue to be for years in the future. More than ever, advocates for parks and recreation need to walk the halls of Congress to carry our message to every legislator that this program must be funded at adequate levels until funding begins to come in from dedicated conservation royalties.

The key to success lies with our citizen membership. The first step is for citizen members to contact their local, state and national legislators to offer congratulations on their election and make an appointment to discuss park and recreation needs and goals for your community, your state and the nation.

Professional member support and effort shouldn't be overlooked, however, and they need to encourage and assist citizen awareness and involvement. Providing legislators with examples of what past legislative funding has provided in the community and what additional services can be provided with their help, will pay dividends.

If these election results tell us anything, it is that our advocacy and actions are needed now more than ever. We need to let our legislators know just how important our priorities are to our nation's population, and how parks and recreation are a key component in providing these services.

I urge each of you to strengthen advocacy efforts for parks and recreation during this legislative year. We can and must make a difference. Visit www. nrpa.org/advocacy for more information on how citizens and professionals can get engaged right now, and visit www.nrpa.org/forum for more information on the 2007 National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation.

Ronald Lehman

Chairman, NRPA Board of Trustees