Looking forward to an engaging program schedule for the new year are Endless Mountains staff members (seated above, left) Vanessa Billings-Seiler, administrative assistant; Annette Schultz, executive director; (standing) Rick Hiduk, media relations coordinator; and David Hindman, volunteer. Top photo of Windy Valley, Wyoming County, by Cal Otten
Endless Mountain Heritage Region, Inc. representing and serving Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties, was near the top of the list of recipients sharing $1.1 million in Community Conservation Partnership Program grants awarded by PA DCNR. The EMHR will receive $225,000 to coordinate and fund heritage initiatives.
“This grant ensures that EMHR’s good work can continue through 2018,” stated EMHR executive director Annette Schultz. “It allows us to continue to support our government and nonprofit partners in protecting, improving and promoting our heritage and outdoor recreation assets.”
Projects to be funded by the new grant will include management of the North Branch Susquehanna River Water Trail, an annual youth river sojourn, and completion of a region-wide census of cultural assets and tourism infrastructure.
“We have exciting plans for 2018 to include a wide range of programs that include new heritage interpretive and wayfinding signs to “tell the Heritage Stories” of the Region, educational kayaking trips, a heritage conference, and our Partnership Grants Program,” Schultz related. “The grant will also fund new projects that help to develop our heritage tourism infrastructure – attractions to be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.”
Out of 20 grants announced by DCNR on Dec. 7, only Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc. received more at $250,000. Third on the list was the Lumber Heritage Region of PA with $210,000.
“This grant reflects DCNR’s renewed faith in the EMHR fulfilling its mission and is reflective of the hard work and commitment of board members and staff over the past few years,” Schultz maintained. “The EMHR is grateful to our legislators on both sides of the aisles who have stood behind the Heritage Region from the start.”