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Intern Spotlight: Brit Austin

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Give a warm welcome to our newest intern Brit! They’ll be working with us through UNC to assess and improve existing trails in the Heritage Area. As for a little bit about them, Brit got their Associate’s as a Veterinary Technician and earned their certification in 2018. They recently decided to go back to school UNC to pursue a degree in Biology and later discovered a passion for, and decided to minor in, Geographic Information Science.

Brit has a passion of learning and sharing education related to Biology, GIS, animals, and the LGBTQA+ community. They live in Loveland with their husband, their dog, two cats, two snakes, and axolotl. In their spare time they enjoy archery, hiking, and rollerblading.

We’re so excited to have you Brit!

Press Release: National Heritage Area Program Bill Passes in House of Representatives, Supports Program Longevity 

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NEWS RELEASE 

March 6th, 2021 

For immediate release; for more information, contact: 

Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director 

Poudre Heritage Alliance 

(970)-222-5795 

 

National Heritage Area Program Bill Passes in House of Representatives, Supports Program Longevity
 

Washington, DC – Colorado, USA (March 6) – The passage of the National Heritage Areas Act of 2021, H.R. 1316, as part of H.R. 803, the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, on February 26, 2021, standardizes the criteria in which future National Heritage Areas (NHAs) will be designated under and defines structures that will allow more consistent federal support. This will affect all 55 National Heritage Areas, including the three existing ones in Colorado. NHAs are places designated by Congress for their cultural, natural, historic resources that combined tell a nationally significant story about our nation’s diverse heritage.  

The three Colorado Heritage Areas, Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (designated in 1996), South Park National Heritage Area (designated in 2009), and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (designated 2009), are currently authorized to only receive appropriated funding for three more years until the year 2024. While not considered National Park Units, NHAs receive technical and financial assistance from the National Park Service who administers the program. Among championing historic preservation, educational programming, and heritage tourism, NHAs generate economic value for their communities, on average $5.50 per $1 of federal funds spent. An Economic Impact Study completed in 2017 by the Poudre Heritage Alliance (the managing entity of the Cache la Poudre River NHA) showed an annual $81.6 million impact on their region and $6.9 million generated in tax revenues. 

The National Heritage Areas Act of 2020, H.R. 1049, would have initially passed in the House of Representatives on December 4th, 2020, but stalled in the Senate. H.R. 1049 would have allowed NHAs to receive an additional ten years of federal funding and had more than 220 cosponsors. The National Heritage Area Act of 2021 has bipartisan support, being sponsored by Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-WV), and is currently being reviewed in the Senate. 

 

ABOUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE 

The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today.  CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at:  https://poudreheritage.org/ 

 

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Poudre Heritage Alliance and Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Announce Large Grant Cycle for 2021

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Poudre Heritage Alliance and Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Announce Large Grant Cycle for 2021

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS APRIL 15TH

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 – The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is now accepting proposals for the 2021 large grant cycle. Every year, the PHA makes a portion of its federal funding available to its regional partners as grants. These grants support projects, programs, and events that benefit local communities and reflect the mission of the Poudre Heritage Alliance to PROMOTE, ENGAGE, and INSPIRE.

Those interested in a large grant for their project will need to read the guidelines and submit an application that can be found online: https://poudreheritage.org/grant-information/

A list of previous grant recipients is also available online if you are curious about the kinds of projects that have received funding in the past. The minimum amount awarded for large grants is $3,001. PHA also offers small grants, in amounts up to $3,000, on a rolling basis. The deadline for large grant proposals is April 15 and the grant recipients will be notified on June 11.

ABOUT THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE

The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today.  CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at https://poudreheritage.org/

 

 

Virtual Volunteer Rendezvous – Feb. 7

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Looking to make an impact in our local historic watershed? A Heritage Culturalist Volunteer for the Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) does just that. Volunteers are trained on our significant local resources, western water law, and interpretive sites in the area – then help support the PHA in celebrating and preserving the heritage of the Poudre River.  Volunteers can participate in sponsored events, work on historic documentation projects, be involved in PHAs programming, lead workshops and guided bike tours of the area, and so much more! Join us at our annual volunteer rendezvous for more information on volunteering with PHA and a virtual tour of the Windsor History Museum! 

 

Our annual rendezvous is a FREE and FUN event the Poudre Heritage Alliance hosts each year to say THANK YOU to our volunteers! This is also an opportunity to further your own knowledge of local history, water heritage, and the rivers enduring legacy. This year, our rendezvous will be a private virtual tour of the Windsor History Museum. This year we are opening up the event to anyone who is interested in what it means to become a Heritage Culturalist Volunteer as well! ⁠ 

 

We hope you will join us from 1pm-2pm on February 7th!

Please RSVP using this form: https://forms.gle/kVnFANFJRb5MnPT48

 

The zoom call information can be found below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88494533718?pwd=Q0l3bFlieUtXTmJrS3Z6OG9RaXhnZz09

Meeting ID: 884 9453 3718
Passcode: PHA

 

Intern Spotlight: Molly Wade

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We are excited to welcome Molly Wade as our new Communications and Graphic Design Intern! Molly comes to our organization through the Conservation Legacy Stewards Program and will be assisting with our social media and various communications outlets.

She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Arts and Technology in 2018 and a minor in Art History. She has a long history of working with nonprofits, along with a deep love for good design and the outdoors. Outside of work, she’s usually baking gluten-free treats or dog-watching at her local dog park.  

Poudre Heritage Alliance Receives New Capacity Building Grant from National Park Foundation

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NEWS RELEASE

January 15th, 2021

For immediate release; for more information, contact:

Kathleen Benedict,

Director of the Poudre Heritage Alliance

970-222-5795

kbenedict@poudreheritage.org 

Alanna Sobel, National Park Foundation

202-796-2538

asobel@nationalparks.org

 

Poudre Heritage Alliance Receives New Capacity Building Grant from National Park Foundation

GRANT EXPANDS IMPACT FOR THREE COLORADO HERITAGE AREAS

FORT COLLINS – (January 15th, 2021) The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is one of 36 park partner organizations to receive a Strong Parks, Strong Communities capacity-building grant from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. This grant will enable PHA with fellow partners Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and South Park National Heritage Area to: deliver economic benefits to sites within the National Heritage Areas,  strengthen local and regional partnerships, and promote an expanded range of heritage tourism offerings in Colorado. The full list of grantees can be found on the National Park Foundation’s blog

“We are so grateful to receive this capacity-building grant from the National Park Foundation to build on the base of our Colorado Heritage Journey project, especially as our destination partners work towards tourism recovery post-COVID-19,”  said Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director at the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. “Heritage tourism helps to protect the resources that define our communities distinct character and promote a sense of place, we hope our efforts today will support the future stewardship of these significant resources tomorrow.”

The Strong Parks, Strong Communities capacity building grant program helps address nonprofit park partner needs that have come to the forefront amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Park partners identified resiliency and ability to weather times of uncertainty as priority needs. These grants will enable park partners across the country to expand their impact through new technology, website redesigns, creative visitor engagement, strategic plan development, fundraising campaigns, professional development, and more.

“The National Park Foundation is committed to increasing national park philanthropy across the board, and being responsive to current needs,” said LaTresse Snead, chief program officer for the National Park Foundation. “The capacity-building grants help advance park partners’ goals to preserve natural and cultural resources, increase access to public lands for all people, and develop innovative programming.” 

Strong Parks, Strong Communities is a collective effort to grow national park philanthropy, which consists of approximately 450 local philanthropic organizations across the country. Working together on this initiative, the National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and Friends Alliance enhance local philanthropic organizations, bringing park philanthropy to an elevated level. 

The Strong Parks, Strong Communities capacity building grant program is made possible by the National Park Foundation Board of Directors. 

 

ABOUT THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE

The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today.  CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at https://poudreheritage.org/

 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION 

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

 

 

Press Release: Historic National Heritage Area Program Bill Passed in the House Supports Future of Colorados Heritage

By News

NEWS RELEASE

December 17th, 2020

For immediate release; for more information, contact:

Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director

Poudre Heritage Alliance

(970)-222-5795

Historic National Heritage Area Program Bill Passed in the House Supports Future of Colorados Heritage

 

Washington, DC – Colorado, USA (December 17th)– The December 4th passage in the House of Representatives of the National Heritage Area Act of 2020, H.R. 1049, establishes a National Heritage Area System and reauthorizes funding for the nation’s 55 National Heritage Areas (NHAs), three of which are in Colorado, until the fiscal year 2034. National Heritage Areas are places designated by Congress for their cultural, natural, historic resources that combined tell a nationally significant story about our nation’s diverse heritage. The bill is currently under review in the Senate. 

The three Colorado Heritage Areas, Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (designated in1996), South Park National Heritage Area (designated in 2009), and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (designated 2009), are currently authorized to only receive appropriated funding for three more years until the year 2024. While not considered National Park Units, NHAs receive technical and financial assistance from the National Park Service who administers the program. Among championing historic preservation, educational programming, and heritage tourism, NHAs generate economic value for their communities, on average $5.50 per $1 of federal funds spent. An Economic Impact Study completed in 2017 by the Poudre Heritage Alliance (the managing entity of the Cache la Poudre River NHA) showed an annual $81.6 million impact on their region and $6.9 million generated in tax revenues. 

This bill would allow for 10 additional years of federal funding for the Colorado NHAs before the Department of the Interior evaluates the accomplishments of the areas, and submits to specified congressional committees for a recommendation on future federal funding. Based upon the evaluation, the Department of the Interior will prepare a report with recommendations for the National Park Service’s continued role, if any, with respect to the area. The bill had bipartisan support and over 220 co-sponsors including Colorado Representatives: Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Diana DeGette, and Rep, Scott Tipton. 

On December 7th, 2020, nearly two years after its first introduction to the House in February 2019, the bill was introduced in the Senate. After two readings, it was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for review. This committee will meet in the new year, on January 29th, 2021. 

 

ABOUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE

The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today.  CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity, the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at:  https://poudreheritage.org/

 

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Support Poudre Heritage Alliance on Colorado Gives Day!

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There are two weeks left until Colorado Gives Day! This state-wide day of giving on Dec. 8th unites all Coloradans in a common goal to strengthen the state’s nonprofits by giving to their favorite charities online.

Help the Poudre Heritage Alliance reach our goal of raising $2,000 in 24 hours to support programs that PROMOTE historical opportunities, ENGAGE people with the Poudre River & INSPIRE stewardship!

Colorado Gives Day features a $1 Million Incentive Fund, created by Community First Foundation and FirstBank. It is one of the largest gives-day incentive funds in the country.

Every donation made through ColoradoGives.org on Colorado Gives Day is boosted by the fund, which increases the value of every dollar. For example, if a nonprofit organization receives 10 percent of the total donations made on Colorado Gives Day, that same nonprofit receives 10 percent of the $1 Million Incentive Fund.

To schedule your Colorado Gives Day donation for PHA today visit: www.coloradogives.org/PoudreHeritageAlliance/overview

PHA Welcomes New Project Coordinator

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The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is excited to welcome Linden Pearsall as our new Project Coordinator. A local to Massachusetts, Linden graduated in 2020 with a degree in Hospitality Tourism Management, a minor in Sustainable Community Development, and a certificate in Sustainable Tourism. She completed two exchange semesters at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and Mahidol University International College in Thailand. She went on to work in international education as a study abroad advisor for students – finding them a program based on their academic, personal, and professional goals. In this position, Linden went on to develop and write the Accessibility Abroad Handbook, a best practices guide for sending students with disabilities abroad. Linden joins the PHA after volunteering in Argentina and completing an internship for the National Park Service (NPS). Linden finds joy in diving headfirst into a project, and can typically be found working in her garden or visiting a unique museum.

Linden has already made a big impact at the organization, helping to create our newest program, the Study Outdoors, Learn Outdoors (SOLO) Field Trip program, during her NPS internship. We look forward to having Linden on our team, working to improve our efforts to PROMOTE a variety of historical and cultural opportunities, ENGAGE people in their river corridor and INSPIRE learning, preservation, and stewardship.

To contact Linden please email programs@poudreheritage.org.

 

2019 Annual Report Now Available!

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As we look back retrospectively at 2019, we realize what a wonderful and fun year it was for the Poudre Heritage Alliance and the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area.

This annual report celebrates so many significant accomplishments – educational programming, fun events, leadership within the Heritage Area, volunteer power, critical funds raised, and more! Then, as we moved into 2020, everything changed for so many of us in ways completely unforeseen.

This leads us to further appreciate the uniqueness of that 2019 journey to promote, engage and inspire people with the Heritage Area.

With this report, celebrate with us the achievements of 2019 that demonstrated the Poudre Heritage Alliance commitment to bringing our river legacy to life!

– Kathleen Benedict, Executive Director

 

Read the 2019 Annual Report