This function includes carrying out the role of the Departmental Consulting Archeologist. The Applied Ethnography function guides and fosters the cultural appropriate management, conservation, and use of park cultural and natural resources with traditional associations for Native American and other ethnic groups, including traditional park users. It also identifies, protects, and interprets cultural and natural resources that have traditional value for contemporary communities within existing and proposed units of the National Park System. Certified Local Governments Program is a model and cost-effective local, state, and federal partnership that promotes historic preservation at the grassroots level across the nation. The program seeks to develop and maintain local historic preservation programs that will influence the zoning and permitting decisions critical to preserving historic properties and ensures the broadest possible participation of local governments in the national historic preservation program, while maintaining preservation standards established by the Secretary of the Interior.
Project teams produce measured drawings, large-format photography, and written histories.
Historic Landscape Initiative promotes responsible preservation practices that protect our nation's irreplaceable legacy of historic landscapes, including designed landscapes and gardens as well as vernacular historic landscapes, farms, and historic battlefields. HPF grants serve as a catalyst and seed money for preserving the nation's irreplaceable heritage for this and future generations. It requires that States develop a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan that prioritizes the State's preservation goals and assists our communities and public leaders in making sound judgments about protecting cultural resources throughout the nation. Museum Management Program supports development and coordination of servicewide policies, standards, and procedures for managing museum collections, including natural, cultural, archival, and manuscript materials. The program provides staff advice, technical assistance, and professional development pertaining to museum collections acquisition, documentation, preservation, protection, use, and disposal for the National Park Service.