Focus Groups for Pinelands Preservation Alliance

This week and next I am conducting 9 focus groups for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, to help them learn more from  heritage advocates and preservation activists in the Pinelands, the ecologically sensitive lands  that make up about 20% of the state of New Jersey.

Our invitation letter says it the best ”PPA understands from our experiences and conversations over the years, that the heritage preservation movement needs to be stronger and more effective if it is to succeed in the face of economic, natural and political dynamics that are causing the continued loss of the resources we value.”

All told there are 9 focus groups, filled with people  who are passionately concerned about the built heritage of the region. A wide variety of folks have been invited including representatives from local and county historical societies, historic sites, house museums, commercial district revitalization organizations, preservation professionals, planners, state parks people, representatives of certified local governments and local historic preservation commissions.

All told 109 people were invited so we could learn more about their efforts to foster the preservation, interpretation and public use of the important historic sites and historic assets in the Pinelands.

A follow up Heritage Forum is planned in the late Fall to report on the focus groups and to begin to further develop the Pinelands Heritage Network in the area. Preservation New Jersey is an important partner in this effort and will participate in the Fall Forum. More information about the Heritage Forum will be posted to this blog.