CULTURAL RESOURCES
People are fascinated with the past, whether it is their personal family history, the history of their town, or the Civil War. There is a mystery and nostalgia associated with the past that captivates the imagination as well as the intellect—the desire to understand how we arrived at where we are today.
More than 88 million people visit historic sites each year. Heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the nation's tourism industry. Heritage sites on public lands have the potential to benefit our public programs and to contribute to rural community viability through involvement of local partners.
Organizations and Programs
A variety of programs and organizations exist to help individuals interested in preserving, studying and learning more about cultural resources in the US. These include both agency and non-agency programs.
Relevant Forest Service Programs
- Passport in Time (PIT) is a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program of the UDSA Forest Service. PIT addresses the growing public demand for learning vacations, volunteer vacations, and the opportunity to “give back”. It differs from other public archaeology programs in two important ways: it is free and it engages the public in actual day-to-day historic preservation work.
- Heritage Expeditions are fee programs that provide forest visitors with a unique educational experience through guided tours of cultural resources with trained interpreters and guides (FS employees, cooperators, or contractors). The proceeds fund on-going cultural resource stewardship and heritage public education and outreach.
- Heritage Excursions are fee programs that provide the public a unique international opportunity to learn about historic preservation. Past excursions have involved cultural exchanges where FS volunteers and Heritage Professionals travel to another country to help on a historical or archaeological project and learn about that country’s historic preservation programs. Individuals from the host country then visit FS projects to help and learn as well. Resulting fees fund on-going stewardship and partnership development.
- The Site Steward program involves trained public volunteers in routine monitoring of significant and/or vulnerable cultural resources on National Forest System lands.
- Cultural Resource Interpretation represents a wide array of programs and products that deliver heritage information to the public, including live programs and events, guided hikes, brochures, interpretive signing, archaeology trunks for school classes, kiosks, and visitor centers. Programs may be on-going or one-time presentations and some may include fees.
Other Programs
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) provides information about historic preservation nationwide, including information on Heritage Tourism and available grants and funding sources.
- Save America's Treasures is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the enduring symbols of American tradition that define us as a nation. Their web site includes links and information about a wide variety of heritage resources.
- Preserve America is a White House initiative administered by the ACHP that includes a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.
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Following the Smoke
Through a unique Partners in Time (PIT) program at Six Rivers
National Forest, Native Americans and Forest Service staff have developed a program that promotes
both cultural activities and a healthy forest.
More...
Funding
For funding opportunities related to Heritage Resources, visit the PRC Funding page.
Key Forest Service Contact
Jill A. Osborn, Washington Office Heritage Detached Unit
Tel: 208-373-4162
Publications
For a full list of available publications related to communities and community interests, please visit WestCAN—your on-line collaboration library. |
PARTNERING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE
