# Presentation: 498327

## Presented By:
Penn Dameron, Executive Director
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
Sustainable Forests Roundtable
September 12, 2005

*Penn Dameron, Executive Director*
*Blue Ridge National Heritage Area*
***Sustainable Forests Roundtable***
***September 12, 2005***

## Designated by Congress in 2003
24th. National Heritage Area in the US
Federal Dollars received to date: $1.4 M
Matching dollars leveraged: $2.1Million

- 24th. National Heritage Area in the US
- Federal Dollars received to date: **$1.4 M**
- Matching dollars leveraged: **$2.1Million**

**Blue Ridge Heritage Area**

## Eligible to receive up to $1 million annually for 10 years for:
   Preservation
   Conservation
   Education
   Economic Development
Creates special opportunities

**Eligible to receive up to $1 million annually for 10 years for:**
-    Preservation
-    Conservation
-    Education
-    Economic Development
**Creates special opportunities**

## Management Plan must be presented to Congress by November, 2006.

Slated to be complete by end of 2005 at the latest

Planning process has resulted in Heritage Tourism Plans for all 25 counties

- Slated to be complete by end of 2005 at the latest
- Planning process has resulted in Heritage Tourism Plans for all 25 counties

- CRAFT

- MUSIC

- NATURAL HERITAGE

- CHEROKEE HERITAGE

- HISTORIC
- SITES

## SAMPLE OF ECO-TOURISM PROJECTS BEING PLANNED:

Regional trail connectivity, canoe/kayak launches
Master plan for greenways, blueways & multi-use pathways (equestrian, mountain biking, etc.)
Expanded biking experiences
Regional Fly-fishing Guide
Expansion of NC Bird Trail System
Marketing & Promotion funds for Agri-Tourism; Agri-Tourism Center 

 Estimated Cost Plan Values for Entire Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

		 $782,782,972 

**Regional trail connectivity, canoe/kayak launches**
**Master plan for greenways, blueways & multi-use pathways (equestrian, mountain biking, etc.)**
**Expanded biking experiences**
**Regional Fly-fishing Guide**
**Expansion of NC Bird Trail System**
**Marketing & Promotion funds for Agri-Tourism; Agri-Tourism Center **
** ****Estimated Cost Plan Values for Entire Blue Ridge National Heritage Area**
**	****	**** ****$782,782,972**** **

## Website 

- Website

## Maps

- Landscape
- History
- Cherokee
- Art/Crafts
- Music
- Outdoors
- Trails
- Events
- Publications
- Visitor Guide
- Make BR Home
- Eco-Tourism

## Dept. of Transportation

**Dept. of Transportation**
- T-21 Funds will fund Signage Program for BRNHA which includes:
- 40 Cultural Heritage Sites
- 40 Natural Heritage Sites
- 1 Million Corresponding Map Guides for the Program
***Distributed by NPS***
***Inserted in NC Travel Guide***

***“******The Year of the Mountains”***

## Objective:
   System of interpretative signs providing routing to eco-tourism and other sites throughout the region
Phase I:
   “Tell the story” of 80 sites identified by Year of the Mountains Commission
17 National Forest sites, including Cradle of Forestry 

**Objective:**
**   **System of interpretative signs providing routing to eco-tourism and other sites throughout the region
**Phase I:**
**   **“Tell the story” of 80 sites identified by Year of the Mountains Commission
- 17 National Forest sites, including Cradle of Forestry

## 20 Gateway Markers
     Distinctive BRNHA design
     Lead visitors off Interstates 
     High-traffic locations
          Welcome centers
          State borders
          Museums

**20 Gateway Markers**
-      Distinctive BRNHA design
-      Lead visitors off Interstates
-      High-traffic locations
-           Welcome centers
-           State borders
-           Museums

## Governed by
       Federal Law
       BRNHA Grant Guidelines

- Governed by
-        Federal Law
-        BRNHA Grant Guidelines

## More Federal Requirements

- BRNHA shall not:
- Use federal $ to  acquire interest in land
- Abridge private property rights
- Lobby Congress
- Deficit spend

## Eligible Applicants

- State and Local Governments
- Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes
- Institutions of Higher Learning
- 501(c) (3) Corporations

## Product Development

- Conservation and Preservation
-    Rehab, renovate, restore buildings and sites w/cultural or historical significance
- Education and Interpretation
-     Performances, programs, workshops, exhibits, tours, films, recordings
- Nature-Based Recreation
-     Don’t damage or significantly alter resources:
-     e.g., bird watching, hiking, biking, canoe trails, gardens, agriculture
-     Includes development of informative materials

## Marketing

- Promotion of visitor services, welcome centers, BRNHA attractions
- Examples-
-   Promotional materials & media
-   Trail maps
-   Visitor guides
-   Advertisements
- But no bumper stickers, t-shirts, key chains, or membership solicitation literature

## Selection Criteria(Across-the-board)

- Consistent w/goals & objectives of recent heritage development plans
- Regional or multi-county impact
- Sufficient management & financial ability to complete the plan
- Viable plan for evaluation
- Strong potential for sustainability

## Questions?

Contact information:
     -  Penn Dameron:  pdameron@awnc.org
Rob Bell:  rbell@awnc.org
blueridgeheritage.com

- Contact information:
-      -  Penn Dameron:  _pdameron@awnc.org_
- Rob Bell:  _[rbell@awnc.org](mailto:rbell@awnc.org)_
- blueridgeheritage.com