NHAs by the numbers

National Heritage Areas expand on traditional conservation approaches by supporting large-scale, community-driven initiatives that engage communities in heritage preservation and conservation activities. National Heritage Area entities collaborate with stakeholders to determine how to make heritage relevant to local needs and interests. These entities serve as catalysts for community and economic development.

In 2015 alone, National Heritage Areas collectively:

Leveraged $57 million to implement heritage projects and programs
Engaged 1,523 formal partners in heritage area activities
Logged more than 1 million hours across 43,151 volunteers on heritage area projects

Across the country, National Heritage Areas and their partners are reviving historic downtowns, preserving battlefields and industrial sites, and sharing our nation’s history through the arts:

Preserved 230 historic sites and 6,182 acres of cultural landscapes
Implemented 68 community development projects, including downtown streetscape improvement and art projects
Conserved 131 collections, including the conservation of artifacts and creation of oral histories
Awarded 73 historic preservation grants of $847, 763

Conservation activities led by National Heritage Area entities and their partners improve air and water quality and support healthy ecosystems:

Restored 11,000 acres of land through invasive species removal, replanting and toxic site clean up
Granted 33 conservation awards in the amount of $508,197

National Heritage Areas are improving connectivity and accessibility, creating more vibrant and healthy communities:

Spearheaded 91 recreation projects
Maintained 322 miles of trails
Developed 29 new miles of trails
Issued 45 recreation grants in the amount of $671,116

National Heritage Areas and their partners are educating future leaders in history and science:

1.8 million people participated in 210 educational programs
Awarded 447 grants to support educational programs in the amount of $1.6 million