The Last Green Valley

News from The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor -- 35 towns in Eastern Connecticut and South Central Mass. We are the last place to stargaze at night between Boston and NYC and during the day we are still 77 percent lush farmland and forest!

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Cargill Falls in Putnam, CT. A beautiful part of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor.

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There was so much to look at when we did a pre-hike last week for a member program coming up Sept. 22 up to The Wolf Den in Pomfret Ct.

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The Last Green Valley, Inc. needs your help to shape the future of The National Heritage Corridor. TLGV is launching an 18-month effort to bring together community members to share their visions and use their voices to help us create a long-range plan for the future of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor.

The TLGV Board of Directors has created a community engagement committee that has already begun work to engage TLGV’s community partners in shaping a long-range plan. The board plans to involve the community in multiple phases during the next year and develop a long-range vision plan looking towards 2030 and beyond. 

“The Last Green Valley, Inc. has been a steward of our region’s National Heritage Corridor for more than two decades,” said Bill Jobbagy, Chairman of TLGV’s Board of Directors. “One of our main objectives is connecting and inspiring people to care for, enjoy and pass on the quality of life and the region’s unique elements. Over the next year we will be updating our long-range vision to guide our activities for the future. It is important that we receive input from those who enjoy the region’s many features and opportunities. To that end, we will engage our residents and local organizations to assist in creating this vision.”

The committee will be meeting with other organizations during phase one to discuss topics such as agriculture, land conservation, economic vitality and historical and cultural resources. Any organization wishing to be part of the conversation is welcome to contact TLGV.

TLGV Executive Director Lois Bruinooge said community engagement has always been part of TLGV’s work. “Everything we do, we do with partners,” Bruinooge said. “There is strength in partnerships enabling us to do more for The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor.”

In addition to meeting with organizations it already partners with, TLGV is looking for opportunities to engage with individuals and organizations that it does not already have a relationship with.  

“We all enjoy living in this place we call The Last Green Valley. Sometimes we get so busy enjoying this place that we forget to step back and think about preserving it,” said Mike Longenbaker, chairman of TLGV’s Community Engagement Committee. “So, this is it! This is our time to step back and talk about it. To engage with each other and our whole community! What do we like about our heritage, our history, or natural resources, our people? What challenges are we facing? How should we try to handle those challenges? This is our chance to plan our future direction for the valley that we love.”

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In Southern New England, Walktober is the most wonderful time of the year.

Brought to you by The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV), the 28th year of Walktober offers an array of adventures, with more than 200 unique experiences and almost 300 opportunities to enjoy autumn in the region. The 22-page Walktober brochure is free and details the guided walks, hikes, bike rides, paddles, tastes and events featured during Walktober. The Walktober brochure also includes contests and challenges for TLGV members.

To receive your own brochure: email [email protected]; call 860-774-3300; download a PDF from the website www.thelastgreenvalley.org; or get one at any town hall, library or information kiosk within the region. All updates, additions and cancellations will be posted on the Walktober page on TLGV’s website and Facebook page. Please check them often.