Heritage Areas Need Your Help

ACT NOW to Restore Funding for National Heritage Areas and Historic Preservation Programs. Without these funds the popular Schuylkill River Sojourn is just one of many Schuylkill River Heritage Area initiatives that could be eliminated.
Let's send a message to Congress...The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is important.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area has joined other supporters of National Heritage Areas in a campaign to raise awareness of the effectiveness of this congressionally designated program. In June, we garnered support from Congress when five staff members and a board member participated in a rally for National Heritage Areas outside of the Capitol. The rally was attended by five members of Congress, including Charles Dent (R-PA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Mark Critz (D-PA), Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Mike Doyle (D-PA), all of whom voiced support for Heritage Areas and announced the formation of a National Heritage Area Congressional Caucus. Tonko and Dent will head the caucus, which will help coordinate legislative initiatives involving the nation's 49 National Heritage Areas. The caucus' priorities will include budgeting issues, creating legislation that would make Heritage Areas a permanent component of the National Park Service, and passing a House resolution to designate a National Heritage Area day, week or month.

While we have gathered support from our Congressmen, they still need to hear from you. The FY 2011 federal budget could cut funding for National Heritage Areas by 50 percent, and eliminate funding for Save America's Treasures (SAT) and Preserve America (PA). These critical historical preservation programs matter now more than ever -- not only because they protect our national heritage but because they serve as economic development engines and job creators in the thousands of communities they serve. What's more, National Heritage Areas are very cost effective. At the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, we match every federal dollar we receive with three dollars from local, state or private sources. This money goes to support projects and programs that benefit the entire region.

If our funding is reduced or, even worse, eliminated, this would threaten the future of the Schuylkill River Sojourn, as well as many of our Schuylkill River Trail projects, water conservation efforts, historic preservation and heritage tourism initiatives. All these programs encourage people to respect and protect the Schuylkill River, and invigorate community revitalization efforts throughout the five-county Heritage Area.

The sad truth is, too many people think of National Heritage Areas as a "nice thing to support," something we can invest in if there is "extra" time and money. But like you, we know that our environment and our heritage are our most valuable resources. Protecting both is critical to the economic viability of the Schuylkill River region and the health and welfare of the people who reside there.

We're asking you to act now and use the easy online form to send a message to your members of Congress asking them to support restoration of funding for National Heritage Areas and other preservation programs as the House and Senate work on their respective budget bills. Simply enter your zip code. It's easy and takes a few minutes. A sample letter is provided, but you are encouraged to personalize it.

What you can do:

Contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support restoration of funding for National Heritage Areas and other preservation programs.
Forward this message to your friends and colleagues asking them to send this message as well.
Share this information on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks.
Call or send a letter to your Senator or Representative:
Congressman Robert Brady (1st Dist.): 1907-09 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19148; 215-389-4627.
Congressman Charle Dent (15th Dist.): 701 W. Broad St., Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18018; 610-861-9734.
Congressman Chaka Fattah (2nd Dist.): 4104 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104; 215-387-6404.
Congressman Jim Gerlach (6th Dist.): 111 E. Uwchlan Ave., Exton, PA 19341; 610-594-1415.
Congressman Tim Holden (17th Dist.): 1721 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17102; 717-234-5904.
Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (16th Dist.): PO Box 837, Unionville, PA 19375; 610-444-4581.
Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (13th Dist.): 7219 Frankford Ave., Phila., PA 19135; 215-335-3355.
Congressman Joe Sestak (7th Dist.): 600 N. Jackson St., Suite 203, Media, PA 19063; 610-892-8623.
Senator Bob Casey, Jr.: 2000 Market St. Suite 1870, Philadelphia, PA 19103; 215 405-9660.
Senator Arlen Specter: 600 Arch St., Suite 9400, Philadelphia, PA 19106; 215-597-7200.