More Than Just Another Pretty Place: Wisconsin's National Heritage

You Can Help Make the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway a National Treasure

Senator Herb Kohl has introduced a bill to designate the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway as a National Heritage Area and the Senate sub-committee on National Parks will give this bill a hearing next Wednesday, June 27. The Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway (FWHP) is asking Wisconsin residents for letters of support to show Congress that there is excitement around this national designation of a Wisconsin riverway.

How Can You Help? Write a letter supporting the Parkway by Wednesday, June 27.

FWHP needs your help to tell our representatives in Washington why they must support passage of this bill and designate the Parkway as a National Heritage Area (NHA).
Please take a few minutes to issue a statement of your support via MS-Word document for the record. Email this document as an attachment to Jake McCook at Jake_McCook@energy.senate.gov by June 27.

This is an exciting step in the process to designate the Parkway as an NHA and writing a letter of support is a very real way that individuals can make a difference!

For an example letter to help you get started, click here.

Background
The Parkway is currently seeking National Heritage Area (NHA) status. A National Heritage Area (NHA) is a region that has been recognized by the United States Congress for its unique resources. It is a place where natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape that tells an important story about United States history.

The National Park Service (NPS) has ranked the application very favorably and is recommending the designation. If designation is granted, the Parkway would receive technical support from the NPS, placement on their website and NPS promotional materials and a modest amount of funding which must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Parkway.

A primary benefit for the Parkway would be an increase in heritage tourism. Once the designation is received, the Parkway will remain a locally run 501(c)(3) while receiving support from the NPS.

For more information, see FWHP's website

Make A Date With A River!

We are having a great summer at the River Alliance! From a geologic-tour of the Wisconsin Dells to a special elder-led trip through wild rice beds, our Make A Date events have been fun, educational and really well attended (sold out, even!). Get some of these on your calendar before they sell out too!

Taking Stock of the New Fox: A motorboat tour of one of Wisconsin's most fascinating waterways. Learn the history, experience the beauty, and marvel at the industry of the Fox River.

Friday, July 13, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Event details and registration

Barbecue on the Banks: We'll tour the farm of one of Cedar Grove's providers, see the cheesemaker's amazing Living Machine (a working ecosystem that processes the factory's waste water and discharges clean water into Honey Creek), and then indulge in some great cheese, as well as other local edibles and potables.
Saturday, July 21, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Event details and registration

Milky Moonlight in Milwaukee: Come along on one of the state's most unique paddling experiences - from river to Great Lake and back again, through the twinkling lights of the riverwalk and under the light of the full moon. For those interested in a bite or a drink afterwards, we will be convening at Trocadero, a nearby restaurant on Water Street.

Thursday, August 2, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Event details and registration

Tubing Into Tomorrow: Have some old-fashioned fun on an inner tube on this sweet little central Wisconsin stream, just out the back door of River Alliance friends Jake and Kris Barnes, and followed by new-fangled beer at the nearby Central Waters Brewery.

Friday, August 10th; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Event details and registration

Flex your Mussels on the Chip: First, we'll warm up with a leisurely 12-mile bike ride on the scenic Chippewa River State Trail. At Caryville we'll cool down in the river while "pollywogging," collecting actual mussel specimens for identification.

Saturday, August 25; 9 a.m.

Event details and registration

Autumn Hues of the Upper Wisconsin: Enjoy fall in its cool and colorful glory along this forested section of the Wisconsin River, downstream of the Rainbow Flowage. The mostly flatwater 10-mile trip includes the Rainbow Rapids (Class I).

Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Event details and registration

Clean Water Act:
40th Anniversary
River Alliance executive director Denny Caneff will be on the Larry Meiller show on Wednesday June 27 to talk about the Clean Water Act, its benefits and how far we've come since 1972 (and how far we have to fall if we fail to continue protecting our water resources).

Make A Date With A River: Legends of the Bear Paddle

You can really imagine what Wisconsin looked like pre-European settlement after a day on the Bear River. Many thanks to our gracious and knowledgeable guide, Ernie St. Germaine and a terrific group of fellow paddlers.

See event photos »

River Alliance Remix Ts

Make Your Own! and then send us a photo wearing it on the river!

RA staffer Erin on the Namekagon.

Don't Forget To CHIP!
Thank you for supporting the River Alliance and other great nonprofits in our community!