Cultural Heritage and Recreation Resources

The Goal

Build on existing knowledge; make new discoveries of the history, culture, and special resources of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership; and make this information accessible to all.

// In This Section //

• Introduction
• Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership

Introduction

Lake Champlain is an iconic natural resource that is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of residents throughout the region. The public commitment to environmental stewardship of Lake Champlain relies, in large part, on an appreciation of the Lake itself and the associated resources of the Basin. People make connections to these resources in a variety of ways. Some learn about the region’s rich history by visiting one of the valley’s world-class museums. Others begin to appreciate a clean Lake while paddling on it for the first time. Many become aware of its uniqueness as they ride the 1100 miles of bike routes along the Lake and its tributaries, through farmland, forest, and town. These activities and many other cultural heritage and recreational opportunities have been made more
accessible by the efforts the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) and its partners.

The Basin’s vast recreational opportunities and various cultural heritage attractions also contribute to the region’s economy. The various marketing brands of the Lake Champlain Basin rely on a mix of recreational opportunities and cultural attractions in beautiful settings. Creating new opportunities for exploring the region and supporting cultural attractions helps support those branding efforts.

Since its inception, the LCBP has funded more than 350 grants for cultural heritage and recreation projects—efforts that foster stronger personal connections between people and resources of the Lake Champlain Basin while supporting the local economy. The LCBP has supported projects that range in scope from simple architectural assessments of historic buildings to new cycling and paddling guides and a detailed underwater archeological survey of the entire Lake. More than $1 million in grants has been awarded to communities and organizations working to implement the proposed actions listed in the Cultural Heritage and Recreation Resources chapter of Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Lake Champlain Basin (OFA) since 1992.

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Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership

The United States Congress established the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) in 2006. This national heritage area was designated to recognize the importance of the historical, cultural, and recreational resources of the Champlain Valley; to preserve, protect, and interpret those resources; to enhance the tourism economy; and to encourage partnerships among state/provincial and local governments and nonprofit organizations in New York, Québec, and Vermont to carry out the purposes of the legislation.

Most of the CVNHP is located within the Lake Champlain Basin, but the Partnership area also includes Bennington (Vermont) and Saratoga (New York) Counties, outside the Basin to the south. The enabling legislation of the CVNHP—and the goals, objectives, and actions of OFA—prioritizes partnership building among governments, organizations, and individuals in New York, Québec, and Vermont. The CVNHP Management Plan is a component of OFA. The strategic issues—the goals, objectives, and actions—of the CVNHP Management Plan are integrated into the “new format” and include the areas of the Basin that are not included in the CVNHP.

The Cultural Heritage and Recreation Resources chapter of OFA and the CVNHP Management Plan offer the same goals, objectives, and actions that encourage stewardship of our cultural heritage and enhancement of our recreation resources. The sustained support for these efforts within the Basin and the CVNHP region will continue to foster a sense of stewardship for our cultural and natural resources.

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