PRESS RELEASE: Congressman John Garamendi Launches Delta National Heritage Area Passport Program

    Passport to Your National Parks logo over photo of a boat speeding through a Delta sloughWEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2026) – Congressman John Garamendi has announced the launch of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area’s Passport Program, a brand-new way to experience the cultural and natural riches of the California Delta.

    Tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, Congressman Garamendi and the Delta Protection Commission (DPC) will commemorate this new program with a ceremonial first passport stamp during the city of Rio Vista’s Lunar New Year Celebration.

    “I have spent my career fighting to protect and elevate the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, and today I’m proud to partner with the Delta Protection Commission and Diane Burgis to launch California’s first and only National Heritage Area Passport Program,” said Congressman Garamendi. “This exciting new initiative will inspire a new generation to explore the Delta’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant communities. Through the Passport Program, visitors can capture stories, preserve memories, and discover America’s natural and cultural treasures in a hands-on way. I invite everyone to visit the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area and experience the Delta for themselves.”

    “The Passport program provides residents and visitors with a fun opportunity to explore the Delta and appreciate the tremendous variety of landscapes and communities within the NHA,” says Delta Protection Commission Chair and Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis. “We are thrilled to be part of a popular National Park Service program that enhances the region’s connection to America’s important cultural, historic, and natural resources.”

    California’s first and only National Heritage Area (NHA) established Passport stamping stations as part of the “Passport to Your National Parks” program to inspire visitation and exploration of this unique and culturally significant region.

    Encouraging travelers to “capture stories, preserve memories, and discover America’s natural and historical treasures,” the Passport Program provides stations at Delta venues where visitors can access free cancellation stamps to create a lasting memento of their adventures. Official passports may be purchased through the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.

    Delta NHA sites offering Passport cancellation stations range from museums and libraries to California State Historic Parks and nature preserves. Locations span four of the five counties that make up the NHA: Sacramento County, Yolo County, Contra Costa County, and Solano County.

    The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area was designated by Congress in 2019 and is managed by the Delta Protection Commission, which supports the region’s economic development while preserving its historical and cultural significance.

    There are 62 National Heritage Areas across the United States. NHAs support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational initiatives through public-private partnerships.

    For more information about the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Passport Program, contact Blake Roberts or Kira O’Donnell at the numbers listed above.

    To learn more about the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area, view the NHA fact sheet and Management Plan (PDF), visit the Delta Protection Commission’s website, or call (916) 375-4800.

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