(Washington, D.C.) – National Park Service (NPS) Director Mary Bomar recently announced the creation of 10 National Heritage Areas (NHA) located in 15 states. The NHA designation acknowledges the national significance of a region’s culture and geography.

The National Heritage Areas Act of 2006 authorizes the NPS to provide 15 years of technical and financial assistance to stakeholders interested in preserving and sharing the notable contributions of a particular region. The NHA designation is permanent. The new sites join 27 previously established NHA already administered in partnership with the NPS.

“National Heritage Areas are wonderful examples of cooperative conservation,” said Bomar. “These areas encourage citizens, government agencies, non-profit groups, and private partners to work together to plan and implement strategies to recognize, preserve, and celebrate many of America’s defining landscapes.”

The new National Heritage Areas are: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area- Georgia Atchafalaya National Heritage Area- Louisiana Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership- New York and Vermont Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area- New Jersey Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area- Kansas and Missouri Great Basin National Heritage Route- Nevada and Utah Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor- Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area- Utah Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area- New Mexico Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area- Connecticut and Massachusetts