American Heritage River
On July 30, 1998, President Clinton designated the Connecticut and 13 other rivers across the nation as "American Heritage Rivers." The designation was the result of a grassroots nomination prepared by the Watershed Council and 52 co-sponsors, and supported by the Governors and the Congressional Delegation of the four-state watershed. As an American Heritage River, the Connecticut will receive special attention from federal agencies that will work in partnership with local sponsors of projects addressing the cultural, economic and environmental values of the River. For more information, visit American Heritage Rivers Initiative.

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
The entire Connecticut River Watershed has been designated a National Fish and Wildlife Refuge as a result of legislation passed by Congress in 1991 that memorializes the late Silvio Conte, who was a conservation champion during his quarter century service in the House of Representatives, and recognizes the national significance of the Connecticut River and its bio-diversity. For more information, visit Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

Wetlands of International Importance
The Connecticut's estuary wetlands are one of the least developed or disturbed large-river tidal marsh systems in the United States, and the most pristine in the Northeast. In 1994, they received international recognition as "Wetlands of International Importance especially as waterfowl habitat" under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty named after the Iranian city where it was adopted in 1971. For more information, visit RAMSAR - Wetlands of International Importance.

A "Last Great Place"
The Nature Conservancy also gave special recognition to the tidal wetlands by designating them as one of their "Last Great Places," ecological areas of global importance, in 1993. TNC's Connecticut Chapter has made the estuary a focus area for land protection and ecosystem research. For more information, visit The Nature Conservancy - CT.

The Northern Forest
The Northern Forest is an unbroken forested tract of 26 million acres that spans northern New England from New York to Maine. It has been recognized as a nationally significant natural resource, providing critical habitat, as well as supporting a forest products industry and outdoor recreation important to local economies. The Northern Forest includes approximately one-sixth of the Connecticut River watershed. For more information, visit The Northern Forest Center.