National Heritage Areas Gather In Atlanta

On December 10-11, 2008, the National Park Service coordinated a meeting with all nine of Southeast Region’s national heritage areas. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, located within the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area near Atlanta, hosted the first-of-its kind event. The gathering offered NHA staff the opportunity to share the stories of their unique regions, while also discussing important issues facing the NHA program.
A broad contingent of NPS staff participated in the gathering. These included David Vela, regional director for Southeast Region; Chris Abbett, assistant regional director of partnerships; Marlene Riley, Southeast Regional Office program assistant; and Martha Raymond, national coordinator for heritage areas. Southeast Region's NHA support team and NPS park liaisons also participated in the meeting.

The meeting began with a warm welcome from Vela, a strong supporter of the NHA program. Each NHA then shared an overview of its key resources, themes, and partnerships. The NHA national coordinator, Martha Raymond, also provided an update on topics such as the budget allocation process and evaluations. The participatory format of the gathering allowed participants to engage in discussions aimed at identifying solutions to existing challenges and recognizing possibilities for future collaboration.

On the second day of the meeting, participants were invited to take a tour of Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The rich natural, historical and cultural resources of the region provide exceptional opportunities for recreation, environmental education and heritage preservation. The visit included a walk through the monastery and its grounds;  a tour of Georgia’s first LEED certified environmental high school with the DeKalb County superintendent of schools Dr. Crawford Lewis; a program at the Flat Rock Archive House with founder Johnny Waits; and a look at the unique geologic structure of Arabia Mountain at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.

"I was very pleased with the participation and dialogue of our first ever gathering of National Heritage Area partners in the Southeast Region,” said Vela. “We eagerly look forward to furthering partnerships and building capacity in protecting and telling America's stories found in these very special places and communities."

The NPS would like to extend special thanks to Kelly Jordan, chair, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area for his assistance in organizing and covering the costs of the meeting in conjunction with the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. For more information about the AMNHA, visit www.arabiaalliance.org . For more information about the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, visit www.trappist.net