Acknowledgements
The initiative to seek designation as a National Heritage Area began with small farmers who sought to save the wild blueberry industry . The conversation evolved to reveal a collective regional passion to preserve the landscapes and culture that define Downeast Maine .
Thank you to all of the organizations , community members , and advisors whose passion and commitment made the completion of this Feasibility Study possible .
And , thank you the people who have come before us , to those here today , and those who will come after us who care for the land , water , wildlife , and people of this place , and who have helped define what we call Downeast Maine .
This document was written and compiled by Sunrise County Economic Council in partnership with a Working Group * that included representatives from different aspects of the Downeast Maine heritage story . Staff time was provided by Sunrise County Economic Council and Working Group member organizations . A broad range of community members provided valuable input and information .
Funding for this Study was provided by the Maine Community Foundation , an anonymous donor , and Sunrise County Economic Council .
* see Chapters 3 and 10 for information about Working Group members
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