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Heritage Program Goals
Improving the Heritage Program
The National Trust for Historic Preservation made
public its recent assessment of the Forest Service Heritage Program at a
May 15 news conference. At the conference Deputy Chief Holtrop talked
about the Forest Service Heritage Program and outlined steps the Forest
Service is taking to address the Trust’s recommendations for improving
protection of cultural and heritage resources on national forests and
grasslands. The Forest Service is committed to protecting the cultural
resources on the national forests and grasslands and making them
accessible for the public to appreciate and enjoy. Holtrop commended
the Trust for its constructive recommendations and said the Forest
Service is looking forward to working with the Trust and others to
protect and enhance the public’s enjoyment of the many cultural
resources in our care. Read
Holtrop’s statement.(pdf)
The National Trust for Historic Preservation
published its findings from a recent review of the Forest Service
Heritage Program in a report titled “The National Forest System:
Cultural Resources at Risk – An Assessment and Needs Analysis”. The
Trust news
release and
report can be viewed at the
Trust’s Web site.
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"It's About
Time"
Waiting
silently in the mountains, canyons, and river valleys of
our national forests and grasslands are the remnants of
past cultures that confront us and remind us of the
centuries-old relationship between people and the land.
These heritage resources hold clues to past ecosystems,
add richness and depth to our landscapes, provide links
to living traditions, and help transform a beautiful walk
in the woods into an unforgettable encounter with
history. - National Heritage Strategy |
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Purpose
of the Heritage Program:
To protect significant
heritage resources, to share their values with
the American people, and to contribute relevant
information and perspectives to natural resource
management. In so doing we will:
ensure that
future generations will have an
opportunity to discover the human story
etched on the landscapes of our national
forests and grasslands;
make the past
come alive as a vibrant part of our
recreational experiences and community
life; and
connect people to
the land in a way that will help us
better understand and manage forest
ecosystems.
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| Opportunities to Become Involved --- |
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Passport in Time, also known as “PIT”, is a volunteer program, inviting the public to
share in the thrill of discovery through archaeological and historic research. |
Heritage Expeditions are educational tours and programs about historic and prehistoric sites on national forests.
Heritage Excursions are
international tours where people do hands-on archeology and historic
preservation. |
| Stewardship --- |
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Protecting Heritage
Sites. The
past belongs to all Americans. When
looters and vandals destroy archaeological and historic
sites, part of the
Nation's heritage is lost forever. Sites on public lands
are protected by the
Archaeological
Resources Protection Act and other statutes. Be
a Steward of the Past:
- Treat remains of past
cultures with respect.
- Tread lightly when
visiting heritage sites.
- Leave artifacts where you
find them.
- Photograph and enjoy rock
art, but do not touch fragile surfaces.
- Help preserve the past by
volunteering your time and talents.
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| Heritage Program Management on National
Forests and Grasslands |
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The
Forest Service is responsible for the management of over 350,000
recorded cultural resources on national forests and grasslands. That
responsibility includes developing sites for public use, enjoyment, and
education as well as protecting sites from vandalism, theft, and effects
of federally authorized activities such as timber harvest and road
development.
The Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2360 provides
direction to agency officials responsible for compliance with federal
historic preservation laws and regulations. FSM 2360 was most recently
updated on July 25, 2008 to address laws and regulations passed since
the last revision, including Executive Order 13287 – Preserve America,
the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and
amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act. It reflects
increased emphasis on a variety of issues including coordination with
Indian tribes, public programs that foster cultural resource
stewardship, and use of historic properties.
Go to
www.fs.fed.us/im/directives to view FSM 2360 – Heritage Program
Management.
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