A "National Heritage Area" is a "place designated by the U.S. Congress where natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography." The National Park Service provides technical assistance as well as financial assistance for a limited number of years following designation.

Since 1984, the U.S. Congress has established 27 National Heritage Areas around the country in which conservation, interpretation and other activities are managed by partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and the private sector.

Source: National Park Service