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Home > The
Special Resource Study > What a Unit of
the National Park System Is > Other Federal Designations
A Few Other Federal Designations That are Not
Units of the National Park System
National Heritage Areas: Heritage areas
are typically partnership efforts that tie together a mix of private
and public lands linked by geography and a set of related resource
themes. They include conservation, interpretation and economic development
objectives. There are a number of federally designated heritage
areas and several state programs. NPS usually provides technical
and financial assistance, and may have a staff role in support of
ongoing management, though all federal areas currently have sunset
dates for NPS involvement. There is typically no NPS acquisition
or land management.
Examples: Hudson
River Greenway (NY); Delaware
& Lehigh Canal (PA); Blackstone
River Valley (MA/RI)
Interpretive Centers: NPS manages numerous
federally owned interpretive centers at park units. In addition,
there are limited examples of federally supported or assisted interpretive
centers for specific resources of recognized significance, but not
sited on federal land.
Examples: Western
Trails Center (Council Bluffs IA)
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network: The Gateways
Network, coordinated by NPS, is unique, though it has some things
in common with heritage areas and some other NPS partnerships. The
Network and NPS technical and financial assistance are federally
authorized, with NPS assistance currently under a sunset date. There
is no NPS land acquisition or land management (other than existing
park units), nor are there NPS interpreters at non-NPS sites in
the Network.
National Underground Railroad "Network
to Freedom" Program: Operated by the National Park Service,
this program supports and assists a diverse collection of historic
sites, facilities, and programs which have verifiable association
with the Underground Railroad. The program's goals are the preservation
and protection of elements of the Underground Railroad, the system's
commemoration, and the education of the public. The program's mission
statement is:
"Recognizing that all human beings embrace
the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression,
the historical Underground Railroad (UGRR) sought to address
the injustices of slavery and make freedom a reality in the
United States. The National Park Service, through shared leadership
with local, state, and federal entities, as well as interested
individuals and organizations, will:
- promote programs and partnership to
commenmorate
- preserve sites and other resources
associated with
- educate the public about the historical
significance of the UGRR
Learn about criteria for new units of the
national park system.
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