The American Heritage Rivers have been announced by President Clinton,
and plans are moving forward for a fall symposium for all applicants, as
well as the providing of resources for all of the river applicants, but
especially the rivers so named.  In order to involve museums in the
planning and activities of these rivers, AAM is seeking two types of
information:

1. Art museums that have festivals or programs that revolve around, or
take place on the banks of, rivers.  We are especially looking for art
museum festivals or programs that involve one of the American Heritage
Rivers applicants or specific designated rivers.  You may access more
information at http://www.epa.gov/rivers/plan/

2. Natural history museums that have specific research, programs, or
exhibits on rivers, watersheds, river communities, river environments,
etc.  If your museum is working in concert with a university or a branch
of government (state, local, federal) on these issues, please identify
the program and the specific government agency.

Although the American heritage Rivers program is not a granting program,
the fourteen designated rivers will receive specific assistance:  "Once
a community is chosen, a full time contact, called a "River Navigator,"
will be available to help match community needs with available resources
from existing programs. Grants and loans could be made available.
Federal agencies will also make existing field staff and resources
available to each American Heritage River. These experts will work with
the River Navigator and the community to attack pollution problems,
build greenway and pedestrian paths, protect watersheds, rebuild
historic docks, identify native trees and plants, and seek out other
economic opportunities."
In addition, a consortium of NGOs is working to extend assistance to all
river applicants.
Thank you for your assistance. We want to make sure that these river
projects fully involve museums and their research and programs in both
the planning for these rivers and their communities and the execution of
those plans..
Jerry
Jerold D Kappel CFRE
Director, Development
American Association of Museums
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