PICAYUNE, Miss. -- The Crosby Arboretum was recently designated an Outpost Business by the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, opening the door to future funding opportunities.

The 104-acre plant conservatory managed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, was eligible for the award through its participation in Gulf Coast Outpost -- a business recognition program launched by the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, or MGCNHA, for nature-based tourism business owners. The Arboretum’s designation was made Sept. 20.

MGCNHA supports economic growth in the state’s southernmost six counties with an emphasis on the area’s natural, cultural and historical resources. It is funded by the National Park Service and the state of Mississippi and managed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

The Gulf Coast Outpost program recognizes businesses and non-profits that take steps to protect the coast’s natural environment. It was developed in 2016 for the area by industrial stakeholders.

“This is a wonderful recognition for The Crosby Arboretum,” said Pat Drackett, director of The Arboretum. "This designation acknowledges the many Crosby programs, events and daily offerings that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation."

Qualifying for the program makes the facility eligible for the MGCNHA Heritage Community Grants Program, which offers matching grants supporting projects that promote cultural and natural resources that expand economic opportunities in the state’s six coastal counties.

MGCNHA is one of three congressionally designated National Heritage Areas in the state. The other two are the Mississippi Hills and Mississippi Delta National Heritage Areas. There are a total of 62 such designated areas in the U.S.