National Heritage Area
The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA) was designated as a National Heritage Area in March 2019 recognizing the national significance of our forest heritage.
What does National Heritage Area designation mean?
National recognition of the importance of our forest heritage story and of our region.
Co-branding with National Park Service. Placement on NPS National Heritage Area website and promotional materials.
Technical assistance and support from National Park Service
Eligibility for matching funds through National Park Service.
AFNHA will continue working with willing partners on projects to benefit our region.
What does it not mean?
No new federal land.
No new zoning or regulations.
No change in land management for public or private land. AFNHA will not have any land management authority.
No impact on anyone who does not choose to participate. We work only with willing partners.
How did we get designated?
AFHA completed our Feasibility Study to document eligibility for National Heritage Area. Read the short version (Executive Summary) or the full Feasibility Study.
We received over 150 support letters from organizations and individuals across the area.
Over 7 years of legislative effort resulting in our designation bill passed by Congress in 2019. For more details read about our Long road to AFNHA designation.
What’s Next for AFNHA? - Management Planning
From 2019 through 2022 Appalachian Forest NHA worked to develop our “Management Plan” to guide our partnership efforts moving forward. We submitted our Management Plan to the National Park Service for approval in August 2022 and it was approved in August 2023. Click HERE for more information or to read the approved Plan.
What is a National Heritage Area?
National Heritage Areas are places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes. Unlike national parks, National Heritage Areas are large lived-in landscapes. Consequently, National Heritage Areas entities collaborate with communities to determine how to make heritage relevant to local interests and needs.
The National Heritage Area program in a nutshell:
NHA is a grants and outreach program through the National Park Service, administered and controlled locally.
NHA designation does not result in any additional federal ownership, regulations, or management controls.
NHAs leverage federal funds that help create jobs, generate revenue for local governments and sustain local communities.
NHAs return an average of $5.50 for every $1 of federal investment.
NHAs serve as catalysts in their communities, taking on projects that fit their goals and local priorities. They encourage collaboration and work with willing partners to see projects through.
How will our National Heritage Area benefit our region?
We can look at figures from a long-time NHA in West Virginia for insight into likely future benefits from Appalachian Forest NHA. The National Coal Heritage Area (NCHA) economic impact study found they generate $207 million annually in economic impact, supports 2,744 jobs and generates $16.8 million in tax revenue. This economic impact consists of: tourism ($205.3 million), operations ($1.1 million), grant making activities ($419,000), and capital expenditures ($238,000). The NCHA has been a driver of economic development in that southern West Virginia region and transformed communities through preservation and celebration of their rich coal history.
The opportunities for our region are similarly limitless; for we are unique. No other NHA has identified forest heritage as its primary theme. NHA status will provide support and funding for the region to develop interpretation and cultural programs; conserve our unique assets, recognize the role of past, present and future of the forest industry; strengthen our forest heritage identity; and share this amazing legacy with visitors.
Support for National Heritage Areas
The current 55 National Heritage Areas each have individual designation, and are managed by the National Park Service without a formal program authorization from Congress. The Alliance of National Heritage Areas, including AFNHA as a new area, are in favor of the National Heritage Area Program Bill, HR 1049 (Tonko/McKinley) which would create a more structured National Heritage Area Program within the National Park Service. This Bill will clarify the criteria for National Heritage Area designation, improve accountability, and mitigate the need for individual reauthorizations. We also support robust funding to support existing and newly designated National Heritage Areas. Support letters from partner organizations can help to get attention for these issues.
