<\/p>\n
(Easton,\u00a0July\u00a017)\u00a0<\/strong>The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) launched its\u00a0Take Action\u00a0campaign on Monday July 17th<\/sup> to give D&L Trail users the tools needed to advocate for closing D&L Trail gaps and improving water quality within the National Heritage Area. The launch began with the unveiling of a new landing page on DLNHC’s website at delawareandlehigh.org\/take-action\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Take Action\u00a0campaign, with lead\u00a0support\u00a0provided by the William Penn Foundation,\u00a0seeks\u00a0to\u00a0cultivate heightened levels of activity, engagement, and ownership among individuals affected by the remarkable natural, historical, and cultural resources\u00a0of the DLNHC.\u00a0By nurturing stronger connections with\u00a0trail users across the Corridor\u2019s\u00a0three regions,\u00a0DLNHC\u00a0aims\u00a0to unlock the full potential of trails, waterways, and heritage\u00a0to foster\u00a0enduring and sustainable benefits\u00a0for all.<\/p>\n While\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0clear that D&L Trail users care about the\u00a0Corridor\u2019s natural resources and outdoor spaces, gathering the\u00a0tools\u00a0necessary to properly advocate for enhancements\u00a0can prove\u00a0intimidating.\u00a0This campaign gives the\u00a0public\u00a0a\u00a0series\u00a0of talking\u00a0points and\u00a0clearly outlined\u00a0steps\u00a0that allow\u00a0them to\u00a0\u201ctake\u00a0action\u201d<\/em>\u00a0and support improvements in their community.<\/p>\n \u201cThe D&L Trail is visited over a quarter million times a year, and almost 60% (83 miles) of D&L Trail is within 100 feet of a stream or river,\u201d says Brit\u00a0Kondravy, DLNHC Conservation Coordinator and External Lead for the Lehigh Valley Greenways\u00a0(LVG)\u00a0Conservation Landscape. \u201cOur past research has shown that these visitors are willing to do more than visit. They are willing to become a participating member of an organization that supports trails and\/or water quality. They just need someone to help make those connections.”<\/p>\n The new landing page provides an overview of water quality and D&L Trail gaps within the Corridor, providing a base understanding of these topics. It dives into the issues facing water quality, the reasons trail gaps exist, and the benefits these resources provide for our region. Most importantly, it offers tools to advocate for improving and connecting these resources. These tools range from legislator locators, template letters to send to local officials, methods to find local meeting schedules, and links\u00a0 to additional resources and partner pages to get more engaged.<\/p>\n The DLNHC is a convener\u00a0and supporter\u00a0for multiple partners throughout the Corridor that make water quality and trail gap projects possible.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough our role in three\u00a0regional\u00a0trail coalitions and leadership of Lehigh Valley Greenways\u00a0Partnership,\u00a0the\u00a0DLNHC\u00a0can\u00a0direct trail users\u00a0to\u00a0a variety\u00a0of\u00a0partners\u00a0leading\u00a0on-the-ground\u00a0projects,\u201d reports\u00a0Kondravy.\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Take Action\u00a0website\u00a0highlights\u00a0local\u00a0watershed associations, riparian buffer planting opportunities, land conservation efforts,\u00a0and\u00a0Master Watershed Steward trainings\u00a0through\u00a0partners\u00a0such as\u00a0Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, Wildlands Conservancy, and Penn State Extension.\u00a0In this way\u00a0the LVG\u00a0Partnership\u00a0reinforces the DLHNHC\u2019s\u00a0call to\u00a0take action\u00a0and\u00a0amplifies\u00a0trail users\u2019\u00a0ability to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n The\u00a0Take Action\u00a0campaign will be celebrated through multiple partner events\u00a0throughout the\u00a0Corridor\u00a0this\u00a0summer. Visit the landing page\u00a0and watch our social media\u00a0@DelawareandLehigh on Facebook and @DLNHC on Instagram\u00a0for\u00a0more\u00a0information.<\/p>\n The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that preserves the historic pathway that carried coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol. Through key programs like the D&L Trail, National Canal Museum, and Get Your Tail on the Trail, DLNHC connects people to nature, culture, communities, recreation, and our industrial heritage. For more information, visit\u00a0delawareandlehigh.org\/<\/a>.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that increase educational opportunities for children from low-income families, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. Since\u00a0inception, the Foundation has made\u00a0nearly 10,000\u00a0grants totaling over\u00a0$1.6 billion.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Easton,\u00a0July\u00a017)\u00a0The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) launched its\u00a0Take Action\u00a0campaign on Monday July 17th to give D&L Trail users the tools needed to advocate for closing D&L Trail … Continue reading New Take Action Campaign Encourages Advocacy Along D&L Trail<\/span>