Historic Preservation

Sod house remains on the tundra - Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Animated graphic that says - Learn, discover, protect


			Protecting Habitat and History - A 2008 Progress Report Responding to Section 3(c) of Executive Order 13297, "Preserve America" (404 KB PDF) Piedmont NWR Issues New Historic Cemeteries Brochure >> (890 KB PDF)

			Please check out our new podcasts to learn more about the FWS Cultural Resources program. Introduction to Cultural Resources in the FWS Educational Opportunities Using Cultural Resources Preserving America in the FWS Volunteers/Friends Opportunities Archaeologist Wins Department Recognition Debra Corbett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service historic preservation officer for the state of Alaska, including 16 national wildlife refuges spanning more than 78 million acres, received one of four Secretary of the Interior Historic Preservation Awards from Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. This is the first year for the annual award program. Corbett was the single winner in the Federal Preservation Office category. Learn more >> For many years the annual Refuge Narratives served as the official 'diary' for our wildlife refuges. These documents offer invaluable information and insights into management practices used throught the history of a refuge and provide a unique 'snapshot' of how things were. The information remains an immensely useful primary source not only for the historical record of a reufge, but also as a key to assisting in present day management initiatives. Learn more >> Historical Happenings Newsletter >> – November 2008 (477 KB PDF) 2008 Preserve America Grants Announced The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce their 2008 Preserve America grants. The grant program focuses on projects that blend habitat and history and that use USFWS cultural resources to educate and enhance existing environmental education programs. Follow this link for more information. Recent archaeological investigations at Great Dismal Swamp NWR offer a glimpse into the lives of escaped African-American slave communities. Click here to read more about it >> (PDF) The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation (ACHP) recently posted information on Program Alternatives, issued under 36 CFR § 800.14, on their Web site. Included on this new page is a short description of each of the five program alternatives. The page also includes links to any current ACHP guidance and links to any specific program alternatives that have been approved by the ACHP. Information can be found at http://www.achp.gov/progalt/. Two New On-Line Training Modules Available Module One - Introduction to Cultural Resources Module Two - Cultural Resource Law These modules were designed for all FWS employees and are available on the DOI Learn portal at https://doilearn.doi.gov/ Two Keys Residents Charged with Destruction of Government Property and Wildlife Refuge Violations >> (20 KB PDF) Ice-Age Archaeology in the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge >> For more information, please visit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Web Site >> National Wildlife Refuge System Web Site >> Historic Preservation News Archives >>
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Discover 11,000 Years of History

[Refuges] are places where the people of today can renew the ties to their cultural heritage by viewing ancient and historic sites. These ties, delivered through the System's public use programs, strengthen the connection between wildlife and people."

– Fulfilling the Promise

The National Wildlife Refuge System. These words conjure up images of expanses of wild lands and vital habitat set aside for waterfowl, bison, caribou, and other animals. While the Fish and Wildlife Service is clearly recognized as a leader in preserving our natural wonder, most people are not aware that refuges also protect many of our country's most important archaeological and historic sites. These include:

paleoindian sites containing evidence of some of our hemisphere's earliest inhabitants
remnants of 19th century homesteads
sacred areas important to Indian tribe
the Battle of Midway National Memorial
pueblo sites in New Mexico
segments of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
the entire cargo of the Steamboat Bertrand that sank in April 1865
a Civil War-era plantation in South Carolina
lighthouses along the New England and Gulf of Mexico coasts
remains of prehistoric seafaring communities in Alaska's remote Aleutian Islands
Spanish colonial sites on Guam

Learn More >>

Last Updated: January 28, 2009