Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy, along with other conservation groups, plan to make an appearance at the capitol to speak with legislators about the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

The goal of this appearance is to raise the sales tax by three-eighths of 1 percent in Iowa. This revenue would then fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

At 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, conservation organizations, leaders and supporters will gather to organize at Wallace Building Auditorium to prepare before going to the Capitol Rotunda.

At the capitol, those participating in the “Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Conservation Day on the Hill” will plan to meet with members of legislator to discuss the tax increase.

The benefits of the tax increase would be “water quality improvements, and we can improve access to hunting and fishing, outdoor recreation, parks, trails; those sorts of things that we want to protect for future generations,” said Mark Langgin, director for Iowa’s Water and Legacy.

Even though these benefits are just predictions, a 2012 study here at Iowa State showed that conservation and outdoor recreation generates over $3 billion and supports more than 31,000 jobs every year.

Dan Otto, emeritus professor of Iowa State, conducted this study along with other nonpartisan studies.

“There’s been research at Iowa State that shows that when water equality is improved, people use it more, spend more money,” Otto said based on the results of his study.

He went on to conclude that “there is a return on investment on improving the environment.”

The state budget that is dedicated to the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund is constitutionally protected and would not take away from other state funds.

In a recent statewide bipartisan polling conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and FM3 Research, 63 percent of Iowa voters showed their support of the tax increase to fund conservation and outdoor recreation.

Those participating in the “Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Conservation Day on the Hill” hope to gain support from Gov. Terry Branstad and Iowa General Assembly with information from case studies and surveys.

Case studies and surveys will be great support, but support from Iowans is needed too.

If people would like to support the “Iowa’s Water andLand Legacy Conservation Day on the Hill,” they are asked to contact Mark Langgin. If someone would like to support but is not able to go to the capitol, donations can also be made.