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National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)

The NRHP, which is managed by the National Park Service (NPS), is the nation’s official list of historic districts, landscapes, sites, structures, and objects deserving preservation because of their significance to a locality, a state, or the nation. Established in 1966 with the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act, the NRHP includes more than 90,000 listings comprising some 1.5 million contributing resources. For a resource to be eligible for listing, it must be at least 50 years old and retain a high level of integrity. Historic resources are evaluated based on four criteria: A.) Their association with events that are significant to history; B.) Their association with the lives of significant people; C.) Their embodiment of distinctive characteristics of type, period, or construction or representative of the work of a master; D.) Their potential to yield information about the past. The NPS reviews nominations, determines eligibility, formally lists properties, and provides oversight for the NRHP while also providing technical guidance to federal, state, and local agencies and communities.

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National Historic Landmark (NHL)

Comprising cultural resources (buildings, sites, landscapes, districts, objects, and structures) that represent exceptional aspects of American history and culture, the NHL program, managed by the NPS, has its roots in the Historic Sites Act of 1935, although the designation was not used until the 1960s. With the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, the NHL initiative was incorporated into the National Register of Historic Places program. NHL designation is reserved for resources of the highest level of national significance. In order for a resource to be designated an NHL, it must retain a high degree of integrity and meet one of the following criteria: A.) Association with an event of national historical significance; B.) Relationship to the life or work of a nationally significant person; C.) Represent a great idea or ideal of national significance; D.) Embody distinguishing design or construction characteristics; E.) Exemplify a way of life; or F.) Have the potential to yield information of national importance. The National Park Service provides guidance on the nomination process, maintains a thematic framework by which properties are evaluated, and administers technical assistance for the management of NHLs, of which there are about 2,550 designations.

National Heritage Area (NHA)

Designated by Congress, NHAs are places where scenic, natural, historic, and cultural resources merge to create a landscape that is emblematic of American history. Since the program’s start in 1984, each NHA has been created through the passage of individual acts of federal legislation. NHAs are not national parks; rather, through partnerships with the National Park Service (NPS), NHAs represent collaborations between public and private organizations to foster wise stewardship and interpretation of the diverse natural and cultural resources in a given community. Recognizing that NHAs are dynamic landscapes rich in regional and cultural variations, stewards work together to determine the area’s significance. For each NHA, the NPS provides technical assistance and manages the federal funding allocated to each NHA. As of 2015, there are 49 NHAs in 32 states, with some traversing multiple states and encompassing national parks.

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

Aimed at protecting natural areas, watersheds, cultural resources, wildlife habitats, and recreational sites, the LWCF was created by an Act of Congress in 1965. The fund is supplied by royalties from offshore drilling, which are invested in conservation and recreation projects to support federal and state assistance initiatives, as well as voluntary conservation measures on private land. The National Park Service administers two LWCF programs: The State and Local Assistance Program provides matching grants to state, local, and tribal governments for the development of recreational amenities, such as the construction of community swimming pools, trails, and neighborhood parks. The American Battlefield Protection Program, in cooperation with state, local, and private partners, administers funds to protect and interpret significant battlefields and their associated settings and viewsheds.

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National Natural Landmark (NNL)

Developed to identify and encourage the conservation of natural resources for their geological and biological significance, the NNL program was established by the Secretary of the Interior in 1962. NNLs are recognized for their outstanding condition, exceptional scenery, rarity, diversity, and value to science and education. The program, designed to strengthen the public’s appreciation for natural history, is managed by the National Park Service (NPS), which works with federal, state, municipal, and private landowners to designate and protect selected areas. NNLs are not national parks and, therefore, some are not managed for public access. The NPS works with the landowner to develop interpretive exhibits, eradicate invasive species, and document resources. As of 2015, there are 597 NNLs ranging in size from less than four acres to more than 900,000.

Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS); Historic American Engineering Record (HAER); Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS)

Managed by the National Park Service (NPS), the HABS/HAER/HALS initiatives document significant examples of the nation’s architectural, engineering, and landscape legacies. The HABS program was initiated in 1934 as an agreement between the NPS, the Library of Congress (LoC), and the American Institute of Architects. HABS was established to create a publicly accessible record of representative examples of architecture through measured drawings, large-format photographs, and written reports. In 1969, HAER was established through a partnership between the NPS, the LoC, and the American Society of Civil Engineers to create a similar record of significant objects and sites related to engineering, industry, and mechanical technologies. In 2000, HALS was created by the NPS, the LoC, and the American Society of Landscape Architects to systematically document historic landscapes. Through the HALS initiative, teams of professionals, academics, and students document historic sites and significant examples of designed, ethnographic, and vernacular landscapes. As of 2015, these programs have created more than 40,000 records, which are available in digital and print formats.

World Heritage List

Managed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this list comprises sites around the world that have universal value and meet one of ten criteria that elaborate on outstanding qualities of cultural and natural heritage. Established in 1972 during the seventeenth session of the UNESCO General Conference, the list is intended to raise awareness and promote stewardship of significant monuments, buildings, sites, geological formations, and natural features. The National Park Service (NPS) is the principal U.S. government agency (in cooperation with the Department of State) that works with UNESCO to manage the World Heritage List. The NPS manages 18 of the 22 sites in the U.S. that are included in the World Heritage List.