BAR HARBOR, Maine (WABI) – More than a hundred representatives from federal and state agencies gathered in Bar Harbor for the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO) Conference.

The conference focused on the impact of the Soil and Water Conservation Fund.

At the conference, representatives held workshops and presentations on how to best use funds for U.S. outdoor recreation needs.

They say $15 million from the fund has been paid to parks in Maine over the past decade, and matching funds total more than $30 million.

“This is an alliance of all states and territories that administer the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Fund, a grant program administered through the National Park Service. Funding is available to states, cities, counties and schools for outdoor recreation purposes. So, any donations related to parks and trails and outdoor recreation,” said NASORLO Executive Director Brian Stith.

They say the money in the fund comes as compensation for offshore oil revenues, a mitigation from the oil industry.

Local recipients of the funding include Camden Hills State Park, Fort Knox and Mount Blue State Park.

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