The National Heritage Areas Program

The National Heritage Areas Program supports community stewardship of our nation’s nationally important landscapes. 

National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress. The Program currently includes 62 congressionally designated areas across the country. These 62 National Heritage Areas are coordinated by entities (‘coordinating organizations’) that partner with the National Park Service (NPS) on grassroots heritage conservation, recreation, and education efforts. 

National Heritage Areas are not national park units. NPS does not assume ownership of land inside the boundary of each National Heritage Area nor does the NPS impose land use controls as a result of National Heritage Area designation. Rather, NPS partners with, provides technical assistance, and distributes matching federal funds from Congress to National Heritage Area coordinating entities.

Visit National Heritage Areas to learn more.