The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization through which contributions support the work of the Augusta Canal Authority, the public steward of the Augusta Canal, a historically significant industrial waterway dating to 1845. The mission is to preserve, protect and interpret the canal's man-made and natural environments through historic preservation, interpretation, education, recreation, conservation, and economic development along the canal’s 13-mile waterway. In 1996 the Augusta Canal attained National Heritage Area status, making it a partner of the National Park Service. Recently we have built several new recreational trails near the waterway. The canal is now naturalized and home to hundreds of freshwater plants and animals with over 25 miles of multi-purpose trails.