What actually is the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area?

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National Heritage Areas are places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes. A National Heritage Area is designated by Congress and intended to encourage historic preservation and an appreciation of the history and heritage of the area. To become designated, the landscape must be a nationally unique natural, cultural, historical or scenic resource and it must be significant to the national story of the greater United States. There are currently 55 National Heritage Areas. National Heritage Areas are not National Park Service units or federally owned or managed land. National Heritage Areas are administered by either non-profit organizations, local coordinating entities or state governments. The National Park Service provides and advisory role and limited technical, planning and financial assistance. Each heritage area has its own authorizing legislation and set of resources, goals and management plan.