National Heritage Areas build partnerships by convening diverse stakeholders
Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA) invites anyone interested in conservation, history, cultural heritage, tourism, or community development to network with peers and meet new partners in the region at their annual Stakeholder Meeting that will be held from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 18 in Buckhannon, WV at Colonial Arts Center (48 E. Main Street).
“Many people are unaware that West Virginia is included in four National Heritage Areas. We host a public meeting in a different location each year to raise awareness about our organization and how we can benefit organizations in our region. We also want to create an opportunity to amplify what organizations in the local area are doing,”explained Logan Smith, AFNHA Executive Director.
The agenda includes presentations by AFNHA staff detailing how organizations can participate in programs such as their Appalachian Forest Grants Program and AmeriCorps, and themed breakout discussions focused on heritage, community development, tourism, and conservation. Attendees will also get to learn about various organizations active in Upshur County including Create Buckhannon, Upshur County Trails, Buckhannon River Watershed Association, and West Virginia Division of Forestry. The meeting will conclude with a tour of the Upshur County History Center. Visit www.appalachianforestnha.org for registration, full agenda, or more information.
The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area conserves, interprets, and promotes forest heritage to enhance landscapes and communities in the highlands of West Virginia and Maryland. AFNHA works with partners to accomplish this through community development, conservation, celebrating cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for transformational experiences. To learn more, see www.appalachianforestnha.org. AFNHA is a member of the National Heritage Area System.
