It was an honor to celebrate the reauthorization of the Last Green Valley as a federally funded National Heritage Area through 2037 with LGV’s amazing Executive Director Lois Bruinooge at the U.S. Capitol. People in the Quiet Corner know how vitally important this conservation area is to retain that region’s rural and outdoor natural heritage, which is a destination for visitors, enhancing the local economy.

LGV’s National Heritage Area authorization was set to expire this year, but after working alongside Director Bruinooge, we passed reauthorization in the National Heritage Act this past December. Now, the Last Green Valley has 15 years of stable, recurring federal support for their wide-ranging work across 35 towns in eastern CT and southcentral MA. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

Ok, we're pretty excited and just want to thank the National Park Service for welcoming the National Heritage Areas into the fold last week. National Heritage Areas had been overseen by NPS for many years, but now -- thanks to the amazing reauthorization legislation we told you about earlier this month -- we have been welcomed to the family. Nothing changes -- we are still the same National Heritage Area we were before. But as NPS Director Chuck Sams said last week “National Heritage Areas represent the unique fabric of America and serve as points of community pride, where locals and visitors alike can come together in the spirit of unity and share in collective experiences. The NHA Act formalizes the relationship between the National Park Service and National Heritage Areas and will further paint America’s heritage landscape beyond the canvas of national parks.” The photo is of a new banner for National Heritage Areas unveiled by Director Sams last week. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago