Utah Heritage Foundation

The next quarterly deadline for submitting applications to the Preserve America Stewards program is December 1, 2009. Preserve America Stewards is a federal program which recognizes organizations and agencies that successfully use volunteers to help care for our historic heritage. Preserve America Stewards receive a designation letter and certificate of recognition signed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

 To date, programs have been recognized for a wide range of volunteer efforts, including preservation and interpretation of historic buildings and districts, archaeological site monitoring, historic lighthouse preservation, and historic cemetery preservation. Designated Preserve America Stewards include the Oberlin Heritage Center in Oberlin, Ohio; the InfoAge Science-History Center in Wall Township, New Jersey; the Glasco Community Foundation in Glasco, Kansas; and the U.S. Lighthouse Society, which was recognized for its preservation of the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse in Maryland.

 To be designated, applicants must demonstrate that their programs:

 *        provide volunteers with opportunities to contribute in direct and tangible ways to the preservation, protection, and promotion of historic properties;

 *     address an otherwise unfilled need in heritage preservation through the use of volunteer efforts; and

*     demonstrate innovative and creative use of volunteer assistance in areas such as youth involvement, volunteer training, public education, and public/private partnerships.

 Non-profit organizations, government entities (federal, state, local, or tribal), and businesses are eligible to seek designation for their programs.

 Preserve America Stewards is administered by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the Department of the Interior. An application form and further information is available at www.preserveamerica.gov.