Organizations and Partnerships
Protecting archaeological sites requires creativity, cooperation and planning. Landowners have an opportunity to work with all of the partners necessary to protect and compatibly develop their land. Some of these partners include public and private organizations and local, state and federal governments. Through these partnerships, the possibilities for protecting valuable archaeological resources on private lands are numerous. Some methods have been in use for years, others are new and emerging. As more landowners become interested in resource protection, techniques will continue to develop. Organizations and Partners outlined below include Land Acquisition Programs, Land Trusts, Registry Programs, and Volunteer Programs.
Land Acquisition Programs and Organizations
In some cases, private landowners may want to pursue the sale or donation of land that contains an archaeological site. There are organizations and government programs that are established to ensure the permanent protection of cultural resources. Most of the public programs listed below require that a landowner partner with a local or state agency or a private nonprofit organization. Private landowners should consult a tax attorney or estate planner to review the tax benefits that may be available through land sale, donations or easements.
Florida Forever Program
(formerly Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program)
Office of Environmental Services, Division of State Lands, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000
850.245.2555
Department of State, Historic Preservation Grants Program
Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
850.245.6333
Greenways and Trails
Office of Greenways and Trails, Division of Recreation & Parks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd.
Mail Station 49
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000
850.245.2118
The Archaeological Conservancy
1717 Girard Blvd. N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
505.266.1540
Land Trusts
Land trusts are private nonprofit organizations that protect valuable natural and cultural resources through land acquisition. While there is no one program carried out by all land trusts, the work they do involves private lands. Their objective is to achieve permanent preservation of lands having at least one of the following qualities: natural, historic, cultural, agricultural, recreational, or scenic significance. Here are a few land trusts you may wish to contact for further information.
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 11206
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
850.224.8128
[email protected]
National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
800.944.6847
Red Hills Conservation Program
Tall Timbers Research Station
13093 Henry Beadle Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32312
850.893.4153
Trust for Public Land
Southeast Regional Office
306 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
850.222.7911
Registry Programs
A registry program recognizes an owner's protection of historic or archaeological sites. Registration is voluntary and nonbonding. It is an agreement that can be canceled by either party at any time. Registration involves no payment or receipt of funds. Some registry programs also provide assistance in site management and education. Through a registry program, the owner will usually receive a certificate or plaque that recognizes the importance of the owner's site. There are registry programs at national and state levels. The National Register of Historic Places is the most prominent. The State of Florida has several registry options including a landmarks program and the Florida Site Steward Agreement.
National Register of Historic Places
National Register, History and Education, National Park Service
1849 "C" St. NW, NC 400
Washington, D.C. 20240
State Archaeological Landmark Program
Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources
Bureau of Archaeological Research
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
850.245.6444
Florida Historical Marker Program
Florida Department of State, Division of Historic Resources
Bureau of Historic Preservation
Survey and Registration Section
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
850.245.6333
Florida Site Steward Agreement
Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources
Bureau of Archaeological Research
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
850.245.6444
[email protected]
Volunteer Programs and Organizations for Public Support and Education
There is a broad array of archaeological expertise available through various private, state and federal archaeology programs and organizations. Public archaeology programs increase awareness of, and respect for, the past and explain the importance of archaeological research and the benefits of cultural resources to the public. These programs include formal and informal education approaches and the use of volunteers. Organizations such as the Society for American Archaeology and the Archaeological Institute of America promote archaeology through publications, meetings and various other programs.
Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)
656 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02215-2010
617.353.9361
Florida Anthropological Society, Inc. (FAS)
P.O. Box 608
St. Petersburg, Florida 33731
813.821.1455
Society for American Archaeology (SAA)
900 Second Street, N.E., Number 12
Washington, D.C. 20002-3557
Strategies for Protecting Archaeological Sites on Private Lands
A website produced by the National Park Service, Heritage Preservation Service that provides information about protecting cultural resources on private lands.
