A Call for Congressional Support of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
Almost 19 years ago, 25 counties of Western North Carolina were Congressionally designated as a National Heritage Area because of their distinct natural and cultural heritage resources. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) is a nonprofit organization that manages this designation, and the Blue Ridge Music Trails is an initiative of BRNHA.
Periodically, we must be reauthorized by Congress to do our work. We are currently awaiting Congressional approval of a new 15-year reauthorization.
To learn more about this effort, please take a look at this opinion-editorial piece published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on Sunday, August 28, 2022. It is a call for Congressional support for the 15-year reauthorization of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA), signed by Visit NC Executive Director Wit Tuttell and N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson. Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis and Representative Patrick McHenry are very supportive of the legislation.
You can show your support for BRNHA when you share the link for the op-ed on your social media and use the hashtag #USCongress.
We’re honored to continue to serve as the steward of Western North Carolina’s living traditions by protecting and promoting our traditional music, crafts, natural environment, foodways and Cherokee culture.
Thank you for your continued support!
