A chance to promote something you love

Enjoy the great outdoors? Love taking hikes on a crisp fall weekend? Believe in the value of land conservation and preservation?

Then you might be the perfect candidate to become a "Last Green Valley Ranger."

Bill Reid, the chief ranger of The Last Green Valley, says the nonprofit organization, which has strong tourism and economic-development interests, is trying to grow its ranger ranks, who act as public ambassadors for the group.

The Last Green Valley (www.thelastgreenvalley.org) is the predominantly undeveloped green space in the coastal sprawl stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C. Here in eastern Connecticut, it covers 26 municipalities, including Norwich, Franklin, Preston, Griswold, Sprague and Voluntown, along with nine towns over the border in Massachusetts. "It's basically everything from Norwich north," says Reid, who also serves as the Last Green Valley's director of outreach programming. "It's mill towns and hill towns," he adds.

This vast valley - it's half the size of the Grand Canyon National Park - is an important component of eastern Connecticut's multibillion-dollar tourism industry, which is a major employer across this region.

The valley houses arts and cultural attractions, along with parks and recreational areas. It's also home to cozy bed & breakfasts, trendy restaurants, antiques centers and other attractions for those looking for a more "quiter" side of the tourism industry.

In fact, the so-called "Quiet Corner" tucked within the eastern reaches of the Last Green Valley serves as an important niche with this region's overall tourism industry, with its lodgings, restaurants, entertainment, shopping and sightseeing attractions.

In addition, agriculture and its related businesses have tremendous potential in the Last Green Valley because of what its proponents say is its advantageous, and plentiful, land and water resources. The Last Green Valley has marketing potential, as well. Visitors to its website will find a virtual store touting items ranging from gifts and apparel to locally made artisans' goods, like pottery mugs or mulling spices.

The Last Green Valley also works in partnership with various entities to promote what it calls "thoughtful economic development" throughout its 35-town network. The group even created an organizational blueprint, called Vision 2020 The Next Ten Years, which is available on its website.

Reid says the member-supported Last Green Valley organization is dedicated to preserving the land, water and cultural resources of the two-state region. The group is already well-known for its annual fall "Walktober" program, which for 18 years has celebrated the region's green attractions with free guided walks, along with bike rides, paddle events and other activities.

All of the rangers are volunteers, spreading the word about the attributes of the 1,085-square-mile Last Green Valley. The organization trains the rangers about the green valley's geography, history and mission so they can deliver outreach programs to the public - from library groups to nonprofit organizations and historical societies - as well as at regionwide events, such as fairs and festivals.

"You need to be very well versed in the organization," says Reid, explaining that his group makes sure to provide all the necessary history and background before the rangers begin their outreach efforts. "And," he says, "you need to be comfortable talking to people."

As the chief ranger, Reid admits he's done plenty of presentations, which he enjoys, but he's looking for a little more help these days to spread the word about the benefits of the Last Green Valley, whose 35 towns are part of the National Heritage Corridor. So far, the organization has trained eight new rangers, but there's always room for more, he says. Once trained, a ranger is asked to commit to at least one community activity or presentation per year. Reid says ranger training (including background materials) is free.

So if you enjoy getting out and about and admire the Last Green Valley, says Reid, then this new, and expanding, ranger program is worth exploring. Reid says those interested in becoming Last Green Valley Rangers should contact him via email at bill@tlgv.org or call him at (860) 774-3300.

"We're trying to reach out to as many people as we can about the Last Green Valley," says Reid. "This (new ranger initiative) is a great opportunity to get to tell our story."

Anthony Cronin is The Day's business editor.