THE LAST GREEN VALLEY 2007 Annual Report QUINEBAUGSHETUCKET HERITAGE CORRIDOR, INC. W. REID MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS It is a privilege to report that 2007 has been a dramati- Th e goal is simple: preservation of our Last Green cally successful year for Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Valley. How have we done so? We have developed Corridor, Inc., as illustrated by the subsequent pages programs like the Green Valley Institute to assist local of this document. All of us who have been involved in land-use decision makers with continuing education in this enterprise recognize that this success is the result a system that is largely operated by volunteer com- of the tireless eff orts of residents, businesses, towns and missions and committees. Our grant programs have nonprofi ts to fulfi ll the mission of QSHC. disbursed more than $3 million to 300 projects to complete work identifi ed as important by local com- I suggest that at this time of annual refl ection we munities and nonprofi ts, gaining matching funds to remind ourselves about the signifi cance of the those dollars at the rate of 1:3, an extraordinary exam- Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National ple of partnership. Th e 17th Annual Walking Week- Heritage Corridor and why it is essential that we bring endS, that raised awareness of our unique resources, forth renewed enthusiasm for its preservation. Th e and broke attendance records once again, continues to watershed of these beautiful river systems is the last be so popular that the program is expanding in 2008 predominately undeveloped region in the otherwise to include the entire month of October. densely populated coastal corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. More than 80% of the region As we look to the future, one thing is clear – the burden remains forest and farm land, yet it lies within an of preserving our Last Green Valley must shift from hour of three of the four largest New England cities. government funding and be shouldered by private Th e Last Green Valley contains the largest aquifer resources. And the way for us to ensure a strong future in Connecticut and harbors clean recharge areas for for our Corridor is to become fi nancially self-suffi cient supplies of drinking water. Th e verdant forests of the as soon as possible. To that end, we need to rally both region fi lter 2.6 tons of carbon out of the air each year. short-term and long-term fi nancial support. Service on Th ey produce enough oxygen for 8.3 million people committees, participation in Walking WeekendS and each year, and only 300,000 live here. So the benefi t the Source to Sea Expedition is equally critical. to those areas north and east of Th e Last Green Valley is signifi cant. Th ere is an abundance of historical, With us all working together, I know we can reach our cultural, natural and scenic resources here that have goals. I look forward to seeing you at Corridor meet- existed for centuries, in some cases millennia. All this ings and on the rivers as we maintain our region and adds up to an unequalled quality of life and a place of keep it green. truly national signifi cance. Paul A. Mills BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MAY 2007 to MAY 2008 Paul A. Mills Bill Jobaggy Tom Dziki Marge Hoskin Chairman Secretary Tourism & Community Dick Erickson Elaine Knowlton Ken Mahler Resources Committee Janet Garon Rusty Lanzit Vice Chairman Chairman Finance & Planning Laura Giannotti Melissa Phillips Committee Chairman Margaret Babbitt representing Treasurer Governor M. Jodi Rell Irving Pulsifer, Jr. Jacquie Barbarossa Kay Holt Janet Robertson Heath Drury Boote Development Committee Chairman THE LAST GREEN VALLEY ANNUAL REPORT 2007 THE LAST GREEN VALLEY 1 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I begin my twelfth year with Quinebaug-Shetucket that are joined by water, between our own behaviors Heritage Corridor, Inc., with great excitement for the and the quality of water, between current and future potential that 2008 holds. We prepared for this with recreational opportunities, and between past and introspection, as each mission-driven committee reevalu- present land uses along the rivers. Landside activities ated the goals and objectives of our management plan. are being planned as well as on water. Th e response I am excited to report that we have accomplished much by partners has been nearly overwhelming and we are in achieving those goals and are on a proven track for anticipating an incredible event. success in future years. Walktober is the third expansion of our very successful In an eff ort to sustain local agriculture in 2008, we Walking WeekendS program. By increasing the schedule undertake an important feasibility study, Farms to to include the entire month of October, we are now able Purveyors, building on work completed in previ- to once again include special events like Scotland’s High- ous years testing the opinions of consumers regard- land Festival, Roseland Cottage’s Arts & Crafts Festival, ing locally-produced foods. Th e survey will look at and others together with free, guided walks interpreting small agricultural businesses in Th e Last Green Valley the signifi cant resources of Th e Last Green Valley. It is an to determine whether and under what conditions excellent way to increase the capacity of local organiza- they would be willing to sell more of their products tions and towns, expand their audience, and induce tour- through local purveyors. Th e study will also investi- ists to spend time in our region during the most visually gate the willingness of restaurants, grocers, caterers, intoxicating time of year. coops, farm stores, specialty markets and retail outlets to market more locally-grown and produced products. Most importantly, we look forward to the passage If the farms-to-purveyors program is deemed feasible, of our reauthorization legislation, giving QSHC an the study will recommend concrete steps to establish additional six years of federal funding to protect the and maintain a permanent network. integrity of our programs until we become self-suffi - cient in 2015. Th is is essential as our present legislation We also look forward to 2009 Source to Sea Expedi- sunsets on September 30, 2009. However, indications tion – Connecting the Drops Th rough Th e Last from our Senators and Representatives are favorable, Green Valley. Th is exciting, comprehensive journey of largely because we are the fi rst National Heritage Area exploration in our own backyard is scheduled for mid- to develop a plan to be self-suffi cient. We look forward April through mid-June 2009, but planning activities to being able to celebrate the successful passage of the and reconnaissance runs on the rivers are happening bill and realize our full potential to preserve this beauti- in 2008. Th e goal of the project is to make and cul- ful Last Green Valley. tivate connections between people and communities Charlene Perkins Cutler QSHC STAFF IN 2007 Charlene Perkins Cutler, Executive Director and CEO Lois J. Bruinooge Andrea Ader Penny Watson Janice Putnam Deputy Executive Director Director of Programming Executive Assistant for Tourism Consultant and Communication Information Technology William B. Reid David Lavallee Director of External Affairs Antoinette Briere Mary Hubert Education Consultant Director of Finance Administrative Assistant QUINEBAUG-SHETUCKET HERITAGE CORRIDOR QUINEBAUG-SHETUCKET HERITAGE 2 FY 2007 Outlays and Impacts OUTLAYS NPS Cooperative Agreement $ 722,270 Non-Federal Matching Contributions $ 17,058,730 Total Outlays $ 17,781,000 IMPACTS Community Development and Outreach $ $2,426,129 Walking WeekendS, community revitalization projects Economic Development and Tourism $ 3,120,022 Mini-Grants Program, tourism projects, Visitors Guide Historical and Cultural Resources $ 8,695,049 National Historic Register Properties assessments and nominations, interpretive projects Natural Resources, Agriculture and Land Use $ 2,441,596 Green Valley Institute, Water Quality Monitoring Partnership, open space conservation, natural resource protection, environmental education Recreation $ 1,098,204 Trail development and linkages, nature-based tourism products and promotion Total Impacts $ 17,781,000 MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED BY: Antiquarian and Landmarks Society Roseland Cottage/Historic New England Brooklyn Historical Society Slater Memorial Museum Canterbury Historical Society Th ompson Historical Society City of Norwich Town of Canterbury Commonwealth of Mass/DCR Heritage Town of Chaplin Landscape Inventory Program Town of Coventry Commonwealth of Mass/EOEEA Town of Franklin Commonwealth of Mass/Riverways Program Town of Oxford Connecticut Commission on Town of Pomfret Culture & Tourism Town of Putnam Connecticut Department of Environmental Town of Sprague Protection Town of Sturbridge Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum Town of Th ompson Coventry Historical Society Town of Voluntown French River Connection Union Historical Society Joshua’s Tract Conservation & Windham Historical Society Historic Trust Windham Regional Chamber of Commerce Mansfi eld Historical Society Willimantic River Alliance Mystic Country/Connecticut Wyndham Land Trust Norwich Tourism Offi ce Old Sturbridge Village and QSHC members, donors, sponsors and Oxford Historical Commission programming matches itemized elsewhere. Preston Historical Society THE LAST GREEN VALLEY ANNUAL REPORT 2007 THE LAST GREEN VALLEY 3 J. GOTHREAU GROWING CAPACITY Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Cor- ridor, Inc., gained new friends, members, supporters and sponsors in 2007. Th e organization enjoyed increased and wide- spread support from people, businesses, and the area towns that make up Th e THE Last Green Valley. We are thankful for the donations and contributions of our active participants listed in this report. LAST We look forward to their enthusiastic involvement as we move forward over the next year spreading the word about GREEN Th e Last Green Valley, and together accomplish our mission of celebrating VALLEY and preserving the cultural and natural resources of the Quinebaug-Shetucket ing member-only programs, information Heritage Corridor.