National Heritage Area Designation

The Mountains to Sound Greenway is a place like no other. It’s time to make it official.

The Mountains to Sound Greenway connects Puget Sound and Central Washington and is a national success story. In 1991, a broad coalition of stakeholders crafted a vision for a sustainable balance between the region's built and natural environments. For the past twenty years, Greenway partners have worked together to achieve this vision of accessible recreation areas, healthy ecosystems, livable communities, productive working lands, vibrant historic sites, a wealth of cultural attractions and incomparable scenic beauty.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Spread the word!
Get the word out about the National Heritage Area campaign by sharing the Greenway website and brochure with your friends, neighbors, colleagues and local legislators.

Collaborate!
Notify us of contacts in your network who could be helpful in the pursuit of the designation.

Voice your support!
Write a letter in support of a National Heritage Area designation for the Mountains to Sound Greenway. Submit your letter or names of potential additional supporters

Maintaining this balance is a growing challenge. Public land managers struggle with safety and sanitation in an age of shrinking budgets, while demand for outdoor recreation continues to grow. It is essential to carefully manage forests and natural areas that clean our air and water. Critical steps must also be taken to ensure that our cities remain attractive and dynamic, accommodating smart development and serve as catalysts for economic growth.

The designation of the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a National Heritage Area by the U.S. Congress is a key strategy in preserving this iconic landscape.

Official recognition of the Greenway will strengthen a sense of place, enhance funding opportunities, empower partners to work together more efficiently, and formalize the Greenway coalition's cooperative management style across this broad landscape.

At the same time, a National Heritage Area Designation will not affect private property or water/fishing rights or add regulatory authority.

What a National Heritage Designation WILL and WILL NOT DO.

The Greenway Trust conducted an extensive study on the future of the Greenway that included active community participation of over 1,000 stakeholders. Government agencies, local businesses and conservation organizations support the designation of the Greenway as a National Heritage Area.

List of supporting organizations and individuals