Designated by Congress in 2009 (Public Law 111-11), the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in south-central Colorado encompasses approximately 3,500 square miles at the southern end of the San Luis Valley. Defined by the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range on the east and the San Juan Mountain Range on the west, it includes the counties of Alamosa, Conejos, and Costilla, the Monte Vista, Alamosa, and Baca national wildlife refuges, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Living Landscape Observer
New Policy, Legislation for Heritage Areas
Could things finally be looking up for the perpetually under-funded National Heritage Areas program? New National Park Service policy guidance and long-awaited program legislation may be a sign that things are about to change. Learn more and share your thoughts here.
A New National Park for the Blackstone?
Right now, there is legislation pending in Congress to designate a Blackstone River Valley Industrial Heritage National Park. What does this mean for the broader landscape that has been a National Heritage Corridor for over 25 years? Learn more and share your thoughts here.
Vermont Enacts Working Lands Bill
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin recently signed the Working Lands Enterprise Investment Bill, which creates the Working Lands Enterprise Fund and the Working Lands Enterprise Board. With seed money of a million dollars, the fund will support the state's growing economy of local agriculture and sustainable forestry. See a video of the signing ceremony below.
Governor Shumlin at Working Lands Bill Signing
Latest News
Earlier this month, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar designated four water trails as new historic connecting components of the existing Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Watch the signing ceremony below.
Maryland Governor Martin O' Malley and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at the signing ceremony
About Us
The Living Landscape Observer is a new website, blog and monthly e-newsletter that offers commentary and information on the emerging field of large landscape conservation. This approach emphasizes the preservation of a "sense of place" and blends ingredients of land conservation, heritage preservation, and sustainable community development. Learn more about how you can get involved or sign up for the newsletter here.
Our Mission: To provide observations and information on the emerging fields of landscape scale conservation, heritage preservation and sustainable community development.
