RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia is sharing part of more than $43 million in federal funds to help states with parks, outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

The U.S. Department of Interior said Virginia is getting more than $980,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The fund was established by Congress in 1964 to ensure access to outdoor recreation resources and to provide money to federal, state and local governments to purchase land, water and wetlands.

Officials say the funds enable state and local governments to establish everything from baseball fields to community green spaces. It also allows states and local governments provide public access to rivers, lakes and other water resources, expand the interpretation of historic and cultural sites, and conserve natural landscapes for public outdoor recreation.

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