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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Receives ACHP Award for Federal Preserve America Accomplishment

National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wildlife Refuge Foundation Honored For Creation and Implementation of New Preserve America Historic-Educational Grants Program

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) received the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s (ACHP) Award for Federal Preserve America Accomplishment for its innovative new grant program to create and improve interpretive, educational, and visitor experiences on the nation’s nearly 100 million acres of federal wildlife refuge property.

“The National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have demonstrated exemplary efforts to create partnerships with states, communities, and other non-federal organizations to preserve and wisely utilize the tens of thousands of historic assets held in USFWS stewardship,” said John L. Nau, III, ACHP chairman. “While the public has long known of the natural treasures our wildlife refuge system offers, this effort will help millions of Americans enjoy the special places of heritage contained on these public lands. The National Wildlife Refuge System Preserve America grant program emphasizes partnerships and blends the refuge system’s core mission with the preservation and sustainable use of natural heritage resources. It embodies the spirit of Preserve America.”

The grant program, created under Executive Order 13287, “Preserve America,” offers competitive grants of $10,000 to $15,000 to help fund National Wildlife Refuge System interpretive and educational projects focusing on history and historic sites, and how they contribute to conservation and understanding of natural resources. Successful grant proposals must demonstrate national, state, or local partnerships to qualify. Priority is placed on proposals that effectively blend interpretive or educational programs with the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants and emphasize themes important for understanding American history.

Presentation of the award was made at the ACHP quarterly business meeting. It was presented to Kevin Kilcullen, chief of visitor services, and Eugene Marino, service archeologist, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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