Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
Volume 2 Issue 8/ August 2014
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In This Issue
Video of the Month
Greenway Challenge
Ranger Walkabouts
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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

 

Volunteer

 

Bike Path

 
Share Your Photos & Stories about the Blackstone Valley!

Kid with camera

We want to feature your photos and personal stories
in a future issue of Corridor Currents! Have you taken a cool photo in the Blackstone Valley? Or, do you have a story to share related to the Valley? If so, we want to hear from you. 




 
Enjoy the Blackstone Valley on the go with our mobile Web app. 
 
And, it's free!
Go Blackstone
Click on the image above to get the free web app
Ashton
Ashton Mill

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VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Slatersville: The First Planned Industrial Mill Village in the United States
slatersville video
Click on the image to watch the video

Slatersville was founded in 1807 when brothers Samuel and John Slater were looking for a site to build a mill where they would not have to compete with other employers for workers. To provide for their workers needs, the Slaters needed to provide housing, stores, churches and a school. 
EVENT
The Greenway Challenge

It IS a Challenge!
greenway challenge logo 2014

Our volunteers are hard at work preparing for this year's adventure race on Saturday, September 27 (with a rain date of October 4). 

The Steering and Logistics Committee plans, designs, administers and, promotes this premiere adventure race. They also tend to required maintenance of the river and trails, access points and transition sites. Some areas may be newly designed for the course, while others have not been used in years. 

Clean up includes poison ivy removal, brush clearing, clearing the river of fallen trees, strainers and other debris. Such was the case on August 16 when six members of the committee entered the water in South Grafton and cleared the river for safe passage to Riverdale Mill. A land crew cleared the trail of overgrowth at the portage. The crew then headed down river to Plummer's Landing in Northbridge, MA where they continued their work removing trees, tires and other debris from the river. 

Volunteers work to make our river safe for Greenway Challenge participants and other paddlers using the Blackstone River.

Interested in volunteering? Contact Barbara Dixon at 401-762-0250, ext 5503 or barbara_dixon@partner.nps.gov.

 

Reminder: The Greenway Challenge registration deadline is Monday, September 1. 

 

See registration details

 

greenway challenge cleanup
Many thanks to Kevin Trottier, Joe McCreight, Peter Coffin and Phil Johanson for removing downed trees and other obstacles in the Blackstone River!
(Charlie Thompson and Bill Dausey are not in the photo.)

EXPLORE

JOIN US FOR OUR FINAL WALKABOUT ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
Rain Gardens



 

A rain garden is a specialized garden that collects rainwater runoff from paved areas and other hard surfaces. Rain gardens soak up the stormwater, helping to reduce runoff into storm drains or nearby bodies of water, which can cause erosion and water pollution. 

 

Join our partners from the Blackstone River Coalition to learn about some rain gardens they have built, some plans for a new garden in Slatersville, and pick up some tips on how you can make your own rain garden to help protect the Blackstone Watershed.

 

Parking is available at the North Smithfield Public Library parking lot at 20 Main Street, Slatersville, (North Smithfield), RI.


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GET INVOLVED
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Become a Corridor Keeper Today!

The success of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor has always been due, in large part, to public support and active participation by the people and communities of the Blackstone Valley.
 
People like you!

For more than 25 years, the people of the valley have shared in rediscovering their roots, their heritage and their common identity. They have supported the Corridor by speaking or writing to their elected officials, by showing up at public events, and by participating in numerous projects and programs.
BRVNHC
About Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
Congress established the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission in 1986 to preserve and interpret the nationally significant historic, cultural and natural resources of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. 

As the new management entity, the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. has created a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization. 

Ongoing programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns working to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy.