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

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

2. 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.

3. National Heritage Areas: Corridors or regions Historical Cultural Natural resources Unique landscapes Voluntary Preservation and Promotion photo credit: Jackie Hird

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

5. Local entities representing a broad spectrum of stakeholders coordinate National Heritage Areas.

6. Stakeholders in National Heritage Areas include: • Local residents • Landowners • Governments • Tribes • Communities /Neighborhoods • Citizens’ groups • Non-profit organizations • Local businesses

7. Participation in National Heritage Areas is voluntary! Stakeholders receive help to achieve their own goals for resource enhancement, conservation, and promotion.

8. Through the National Park Service, up to $10 million in 50-percent match funding is available to a National Heritage Area over a period of 15 years . photo credit: Jackie Hird

9. There is great flexibility in potential uses for the federal funding, with the exception of property acquisition, which is precluded.

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

11. Sustainable management of heritage tourism and nature tourism brings long-term economic benefits to designated regions while protecting cultural and natural resources.

12. 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

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

14. 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 City Unique Natural Beauty in the Coastal Environment Prehistoric Native American Lifeways Multicultural Heritage Military History Tourism & the Resort Era Transportation Corridors Arts & Architecture Recreation & Leisure

15. The heritage of the region is represented by numerous historic buildings, archaeological sites, and a rich maritime culture. A National Heritage Area will help community partners work together to increase recognition of the places that make our region unique.

16. Enhanced coordination of nature-based tourism and recreation such as bird watching, beach combing, fishing, kayaking, and other recreational activities brings economic benefits to the region. The region also has many natural attractions.

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. Acknowledgements: • Aerial photographs: • Jackie Hird • Photographs/Images: • Flagler County • GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve • National Park Service National Heritage Area Program • St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, Inc. • St. Johns County • Leslie White • University of Florida