Nature and the Environment

[ image by Jim McElholm - Single Source Inc. ]
	Natural Resources in the Blackstone River Valley In the Blackstone River Valley, natural resources and the systems that link them – geology, hydrology and habitats – are important to the historic and cultural landscapes that we value and wish to preserve. The natural and built environments are inextricably linked. Preserving key natural landscapes enhances historic settings and protects the natural systems that are shared throughout the Valley and are vital to the region’s health.

The Blackstone River Valley contains unique natural and cultural resources that offer special opportunities for preservation. The region is a rich patchwork of natural resources, including forests, meadows, vernal pools, wetlands, rivers and tributaries. The presence of a vernal pool, a temporary wetland that can support certain animal communities, in various towns throughout the Valley allows for an intriguing learning experience. To learn more about this event, known as "Big Night," click here.

In addition, the Valley holds a distinctive combination of historic landscapes that include urban centers, towns, villages, mills and farms. Few places exist where such a concentration of historic, cultural and natural resources have survived, are so fully integrated and are accessible to the public. The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor prepared a Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment in 1998 that provides an overview and selective description of the natural significance of the National Heritage Corridor. The analysis identifies a rich array of most important sites and leads to specific recommendations for action in the Corridor.

The purpose of the Inventory was three-fold:

• to reveal the natural features and systems of the Corridor which contribute to the understanding of national cultural landscape values;
• to recommend strategies for protection, restoration, management, or acquisition; and
• to provide a framework for local and regional decision-making.

[ image by Jim McElholm - Single Source Inc. ]
	By better understanding the role of natural resources in our history, in our present environment and in our daily well-being, we as individuals and communities will make better decisions for the future.

Building on past and on-going efforts to remedy environmental problems, protect land and water for the enjoyment and health of generations, and unlock the potential of recreational resources, communities in the Valley are actively living their history and shaping their environment.

For a copy of the Natural Resources Inventory Map, please click here. (PDF: 3.55MB / 1 page)

To find out more about the natural environment of the Corridor as described in our Natural Resources Inventory, you can download excerpts from the Inventory by clicking below.

Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment: Inventory
(PDF: 199KB / 16 pages)

Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment: Listing of Valley Sites
(PDF: 2,059KB / 32 pages)

Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment: Regional Impacts
(PDF: 1,006KB / 11 pages)

Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment: Recommendations
(PDF: 121KB / 14 pages)

Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment: Listed Species
(PDF: 134KB / 8 pages)

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader software for free in order to read and print the PDF file on this page.