The purpose of the heritage partnership program funding is to engage national heritage arearecipients, partners, communities, and or visitors in shared environmental stewardship

The State of Louisiana, through the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (ANHA), received a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement from the National Park Service (NPS) National Office under the Heritage Partnership Program (CFDA 15.939), awarded September 2, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2026. This award supports the ANHA's mission to conserve and promote the cultural and natural resources of the Atchafalaya Basin through shared environmental stewardship initiatives. The funding enables a comprehensive range of activities including heritage tourism development, educational programming, preservation of traditional crafts and music, community engagement initiatives, and resource stewardship activities that connect residents and visitors to the region's cultural and ecological assets.

The cooperative agreement fosters partnerships with multiple stakeholder categories including nonprofit organizations, private entities, state and local governments, and the general public. Products and services delivered under this award support historic preservation efforts, conservation programs, interpretation and education programming, and the development of heritage-related infrastructure and activities within the designated National Heritage Area. By promoting public and private participation in outdoor recreation, conservation, and educational activities, the award advances the broader Heritage Partnership Program objective of building resource stewardship ethics while enhancing quality of life and sustaining regional cultural identity across the Atchafalaya Basin.

This is done bypromoting greater public and private participation in preservation, conservation, education, and outdoorrecreation programs and activities and building resource stewardship ethics in its participants. Atchafalaya national heritage area conserves and promotes the cultural and natural resources of the atchafalaya basin. This organization and agreement fosters community engagement and economic development through heritage tourism, educational programs, and the preservation of traditional crafts and music. By connecting residents and visitors to the area s rich history and diverse landscapes, IT seeks to enhance the quality of life and sustain the region s cultural identity. Beneficiaries include general public, states and or their political subdivisions, non-profits, private entities, the heritage area management coordinating entity.