NOAA and the Preserve America Initiative
The history of NOAA and the nation are intertwined. It is difficult to talk about weather, water, climate, and commerce without discussing NOAA and its ancestor agencies, the U.S. Coast Survey, U.S. Weather Bureau, and U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries.
NOAA has in its care a wealth of 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. These resources are of immense value not only to NOAA but also the American people -- their true owners.
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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Fort Crockett: From Army Base to NOAA Fisheries Lab.
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inventory, preserve, and showcase federally-managed historic and cultural, or "heritage," resources and
- foster tourism in partnership with local communities
NOAA is equal to the challenge.
NOAA is already working to preserve our heritage resources, from historic maps and charts to buildings and shipwrecks, and make them accessible to the public through innovative programs and partnerships. A few of those efforts are highlighted in the following pages. |
