By: Justin Sapp, Taylor County Marine Extension Agent
Project Proposal: To boost heritage and nature-based tourism in Taylor County, apply to
be a "Preserve America Community." In addition to becoming eligible for a 20-150k grant
in the future, the benefits of designation include:
* White House recognition;
* a certificate of recognition;
* a Preserve America Community road sign;
* authorization to use the Preserve America logo on signs, flags, banners, and
promotional materials;
* listing in a Web-based Preserve America Community directory;
* inclusion in national and regional press releases;
* official notification of designation to State tourism offices and visitor bureaus; and
* enhanced community visibility and pride.
See http://www.preserveamerica.gov/communities.html for more details about this
program and http://preserveamerica.noaa.gov/ for NOAA.
See http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/hpg/PreserveAmerica/index.htm for the grant opportunity.
After speaking with the NOAA repreentative for this program, Cheryl Oliver, there is
nothing to lose.
Preserve America Executive Order and Initiative
Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community
efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the
initiative include 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.
Through his Preserve America Executive Order (E.O. 13287), President Bush has called
on NOAA and other federal agencies to step up efforts to:
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inventory, preserve, and showcase federally-managed historic and cultural, or
“heritage”, resources
foster tourism in partnership with local communities
Advisory Council for Historic Preservation (ACHP)
The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation (ACHP) is an independent federal
agency that advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy.
The ACHP has a key role in carrying out the Administration’s Preserve America
initiative.
NOAA and the Preserve America Initiative
www.preserveamerica.noaa.gov
NOAA has in its care a wealth of heritage resources that recall the agency's proud history
and dedicated service to the nation. Such resources include maps, charts, photographs,
books, scientific instruments, and other artifacts – some centuries old. NOAA is also the
steward of large-scale historic and cultural resources, such as buildings and shipwrecks.
Among NOAA’s most valuable heritage resources are the men and women who work
every day to educate others about the agency’s history and legacy of service. These
resources are of immense value not only to NOAA but also the American people – their
true owners.
www.preserveamerica.noaa.gov
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NOAA is Setting the Example!
NOAA has been proving that we are equal to the Preserve America challenge! In
communities across America, NOAA is preserving the nation’s heritage by:
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Promoting the benefits of preservation – Through dynamic education and
outreach programs, exhibits, visitor centers, and the media, NOAA spreads the
message that our heritage resources belong to everyone, and that we all have a
role to play in preserving them for future generations.
Fostering the recognition of historic properties – NOAA is proud to occupy
and maintain a number of historic buildings and sites. The agency makes these
important resources available to the public through open houses, public events,
exhibitions, and other outreach activities.
Encouraging public-private partnerships – Every day, NOAA works with a
wide variety of groups to conserve natural resources, protect special places,
develop local communities, and reduce the impacts of severe weather. Partners
include aquaria, businesses, community organizations, federal, state, and local
government agencies, and media outlets.
Improving federal stewardship – NOAA recognizes that the first step in
preserving heritage resources is to have a plan. NOAA works with experts in
government, the private sector, and academia to develop comprehensive
conservation plans for resources of historical significance to the nation.
Supporting preservation and economic development through heritage
tourism – Through museums, web sites, and other venues, NOAA provides
opportunities for the public to learn more about the agency’s heritage resource
conservation and preservation activities.
Major NOAA Preserve America Initiative Activities
Brochure and web site - “NOAA and the Preserve America Initiative”, brochure and
companion web site (preserveamerica.noaa.gov) was designed to highlight NOAA’s
dedication to preserve heritage resources in its care and make them accessible to the
public and through innovative programs and partnerships.
First Annual NOAA Heritage Week, February 2005 - Using the unique setting of a
1930’s warehouse, over 200 NOAA assets that recall the agency’s proud heritage and
legacy of service to the nation were on display in the NOAA Science Center
February 7-11, 2005. Over 300 individuals visited the Treasures of NOAA’s Ark exhibit
during a 3-hour period on its opening day. Extended hours on Friday allowed for both
NOAA employees and the public to enjoy the display. In all, the total attendance topped
1,500 for the one-week run.
www.preserveamerica.noaa.gov
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NOAA Preserve America Initiative Grant Program (PAIG) – Initiated in 2005, this
mini-grant program is designed to stimulate efforts within NOAA to preserve, protect,
and promote the agency's heritage resources. A total of $100,000 was available for
awards in 2005. Requests for funding totaled over $500K. In its first year, NOAA’s
Preserve America Initiative Grant Program (PAIG) awarded funding to six of the 24
proposals based on the following criteria –
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Preserve and highlight NOAA’s heritage resources
Foster heritage tourism in the United States and its territories
Boost and recharge our partnerships
Promote research of heritage resources
Develop educational programs and events
Find new and exciting ways to capitalize on NOAA’s legacy
The project vary in scope from interpreting historic and cultural resources in NOAA’s
care to capturing oral histories of NOAA stakeholder groups, including fishermen and
Native Americans.
The PAIG program continues in 2006. This year $175k is available to NOAA
employees, and the request for proposals were due February 1, 2006. At a glance, more
than 30 projects have been submitted.
Promoting NOAA Communities to become Preserve America Communities - NOAA
has facilitated meetings and supported efforts by a number of communities to seek
Preserve America Community Designation. NOAA is developing a plan to assist
additional NOAA communities to this designation. Recently, NOAA Fisheries and
NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program supported the designation of Galveston,
Texas, due to the historic importance of Fort Crockett, a former Army post that currently
houses NOAA facilities. NOAA has played a role in other Preserve America Community
designations including Gloucester, Massachusetts; Alpena, Michigan and Hatteras, North
Carolina. Recent meetings with local leadership in Scituate, Massachusetts and Manteo,
North Carolina should result in applications. NOAA Preserve America representatives
will meet with the County of Maui in March 2006. NOAA has a number of regional and
program offices located in the State of Hawaii and looks forward to assisting in this
process.
www.preserveamerica.noaa.gov
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UPDATE: Annual NOAA Heritage Week firmly in place.
2006 NOAA Heritage Week - Artifacts representing nearly 200 years of science, service
and stewardship by NOAA and its ancestor agencies were on public display at the
agency’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., February 6-11, 2006, during the second
annual NOAA Heritage Week. This theme of this year’s Treasures of NOAA’s Ark
exhibit was Pioneers: People and Technology. The exhibit highlighted groundbreaking
technologies developed by NOAA and its predecessors that have helped save lives,
promote commerce, and expand our knowledge of the Earth. Experts were on hand to
explain the history and uses of the displayed items, including early scientific instruments,
maps and charts from the U.S. Weather Bureau (now the NOAA Weather Service), U.S.
Bureau of Fisheries (now the NOAA Fisheries Service), and the nation’s oldest scientific
agency, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, founded in 1807 by President Thomas
Jefferson. The exhibit featured re-creations of a marine science lab, weather forecast
office and undersea lab. The exhibit also highlighted eight pioneers, past and present,
who have made significant contributions to our understanding of land, sea and sky.
Conservators were on hand to offer tips about caring for precious personal treasures and
heirlooms, from old family photos to quilts, clothing, and other fabric items.
This year’s NOAA Heritage Week included some new features:
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NOAA Heritage Week Speaker Series – Maritime Heritage in NOAA’s
National Marine Sanctuaries; an author and illustrator of beautiful and informative
non-fiction books for children, including: The Buffalo Nickel, The Coast Mappers,
Civil War Artist; and the Northern Neck Chanty Singers, former Chesapeake Bay
menhanden fisherman that recall echoes of bygone days through song.
Saturday Hours – To allow public a better opportunity to experience the exhibit.
Pilot Education Program – Included three visits from local school groups on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings - 9 am - 11 am. NOAA's Office of
Education coordinated the visits and their two Einstein Fellows developed
activities about weather mapping and bathometric mapping. School grades
included 5th, 6th and 9th graders. Post-visit evaluations will take place with
students and teachers. This is a key addition to this year's NOAA Heritage Week
and promotes the First Lady's education agenda and the Preserve America
objectives.
Traveling Exhibit – Treasures of NOAA’s Ark has been packed and shipped to
Norfolk, Virginia where it will be on display at Nauticus, The National Maritime
Center from March 4 - September 4, 2006. NOAA has a very prosperous
relationship with Nauticus. This traveling exhibit further promotes the
Administration’s Preserve America Initiative by showcasing NOAA and our
nation’s rich heritage and foster tourism through partnering with local
communities. Finally, this “traveling exhibit” was proposed and awarded through
the 2005 PAIG program.
www.preserveamerica.noaa.gov
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