Planning together for a NATION’S OLDEST PORT NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

National Heritage Areas are a relatively new kind of national designation which seeks to preserve and celebrate America’s defining landscapes and diverse cultural traditions, and to stimulate economic growth in designated regions.

Forty-nine National Heritage Areas have been designated by Congress; only one extends into Florida.

National Heritage Areas:• Corridors or regions • Historical• Cultural • Natural resources• Unique landscapes• Voluntary Preservation and

Promotion

photo credit: Jackie Hird

Designation does not add any federal regulation of private property use or development.

Local entities representing a broad spectrum of

stakeholders coordinate National Heritage Areas.

Stakeholders in National Heritage Areas include:

• Local residents• Landowners• Governments• Tribes• Communities

/Neighborhoods• Citizens’ groups• Non-profit organizations• Local businesses

Participation in National Heritage Areas is voluntary!

Stakeholders receive help to achieve their own goals for

resource enhancement, conservation, and promotion.

Through the National Park Service, up to $10 million in50-percent match funding is available to a National

Heritage Area over a period of 15 years .

photo credit: Jackie Hird

There is great flexibility in potential uses for the

federal funding, with the exception of property

acquisition, which is precluded.

For every $1 of federal match funding,the existing National Heritage Areas have leveraged an average of $9 in otherfunding. Portions of this funding direct,indirect and induced--goes to local businesses.

Sustainable management of heritage tourism and nature

tourism brings long-term economic benefits to designated

regions while protecting cultural and natural resources.

Some examples of locally selected projects that could receive funding for the benefit of the community include:

• Roadside pullouts and signs at important historic sites and scenic views

• Restoration of riparian areas • Construction of erosion control

structures• Stabilization or rehabilitation of

historic buildings • Educational materials and programs

for schoolchildren

Lodging in historic and scenic settings is a hallmark of this region, and can be promoted for sustainable heritage tourism.

This proposed National Heritage Area will celebrate America’s oldest continually occupied port city and the region’s unique maritime landscape and resources. The area’s multi-cultural

heritage which spans centuries will be among the distinguishing themes.

Themes include:

Oldest Port & Oldest Continually Occupied CityUnique Natural Beauty in the Coastal EnvironmentPrehistoric Native American LifewaysMulticultural HeritageMilitary HistoryTourism & the Resort EraTransportation CorridorsArts & ArchitectureRecreation & Leisure

The heritage of the region is represented by numerous historic buildings, archaeological sites, and a rich maritime culture.

A National Heritage Area will helpcommunity partners work togetherto increase recognition ofthe places that make our regionunique.

The region also has many natural attractions.

Enhanced coordination of nature-based tourism and recreationsuch as bird watching, beach combing, fishing,kayaking, and other recreational activities bringseconomic benefits to the region.

A NHA provides a context to promote our region’s unique traditional foods, crafts and cultural festivals. Minorcan Clam Chowder

1/8 pound salt pork or smoked bacon chopped fine2 large onions chopped1 bell pepper chopped2 cups fresh clams, chopped fine, juice reserved1-2 datil peppers, minced3 cups canned plum tomatoes drained, seeded, and chopped1/2 cup tomato puree1/2 tablespoon thyme, crumbled1/2 tablespoon salt1/4 teaspoon cayenne1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1-2 bay leaves crushed2- 8 ounce bottles clam juice3 cups fish stock2 cups new potatoes, diced

The proposed boundary of the National Heritage Area follows the three main, interconnected watersheds of the region, including areas of St. Johns and Flagler Counties, and extends three miles offshore into the Atlantic Ocean to include State of Florida territorial waters.

Public input is being gathered to determine the feasibility of a National Heritage Area. A Feasibility Study is the first step toward designation of a National Heritage Area.

This study will identify the significant nature and heritage resources in the region, and the themes that link them.

Florida Sea Grant, Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway Program, Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Flagler County and St. Johns County are guiding feasibility process in consultation with other community partners and residents.

This working group is open and welcomes broad community participation.

For more information, and for additional names and partners joining this project, visit the website: www.floridanha.com.

Principles of National Heritage Areas:

• Created by grass-roots, broad coalitions • Recognize values of distinctive

landscapes and cultural traditions • Economic development based on

heritage and nature tourism • Security of property rights • Voluntary participation • Partnerships to achieve shared goals • Assist stakeholders to achieve their own

goals • Local coordination by stakeholder

representatives

For more information contact:

Leslie White

Heritage Area Officer

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc. &

Proposed Nation’s Oldest Port

National Heritage Area Working Group

765-610-1684 mobile

lwhite@staugustinelighthouse.com

and visit

www.floridanha.com

Acknowledgements:Aerial photographs:

Jackie Hird

Photographs/Images:Flagler CountyGTM National Estuarine Research ReserveNational Park Service National Heritage Area ProgramSt. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc.St. Johns CountyLeslie WhiteUniversity of Florida