The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, one of the longest inhabited regions of the U.S., encompasses 3,300 square miles in Arizona’s Pima and Santa Cruz counties and is home to numerous diverse cultures and communities where geography links the relationships of these communities. Their identity and character are permeated with the interplay, integration, and balance between the natural environment and cultural development.

As with previous cultures, today’s communities are adjusting to the limiting conditions of the region’s desert environment—especially in the face of rapid growth. While appreciating its wonders and beauty, the community must respond to its challenges through creative adaptation and resilience. Knowledge and respect for our combined heritage contribute to a sense of place and improve the quality of our lives, and the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area embraces the best aspects and highest ideals of this approach.

Through partnerships, we work together to preserve the foundations of a cultural and natural heritage that will shape our future.

Watch this Discovery Road episode featuring the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area