The following compilation of official U.S. assistance efforts covers the previous 5 years. Though not a comprehensive compendium, it is intended to provide an overview of the kinds of U.S. assistance provided and its distribution across the globe. This information will be updated on a regular basis (last update: February, 2008).
List of World Heritage Sites that Have Received U.S. Assistance
(Click on country name for a description of the assistance, on the World Heritage site for more information about the particular site, or the US Agency or NGO name to learn more about the listed organization.)
COUNTRY
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WORLD HERITAGE SITE
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US AGENCY OR NGO PROVIDING SUPPORT
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Rila Monastery
USAID/ Bulgaria helped complete a management plan for the Monastery in 2004. USAID invested $10 million over the past decade to help Bulgaria create a self-sufficient protected park system, which includes the Rila Monastery.
Mount Wuyi
To provide appropriate space and equipment to display the collection of (2nd century B.C.) Han Dynasty artifacts, the Ambassadors Fund contributed a $31,980 grant to the Fujian Minyue Kingdom Capital Museum. The artifacts are as risk of theft and damage from climate under the current conditions. The archaeological site of the Minyue City is included in the World Heritage designation of the Wuyishan District.
Cartengena
The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation provided approximately $35,000 through the US Embassy in Bogotá to Cartegena in 2005. This grant supported the conservation of the Apostle Santiago Rampart built in 1614-16 as part of the fortification system surrounding Cartagena.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
With approximately $80,000 in funding from USAID/Croatia, DOI-ITAP designed a practical training program focused on parks interpretation, education and management in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The program implemented critically needed park information and education programs and provided job skills training and temporary employment to 10 interns of diverse ethnicity from war-affected regions of Croatia.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Virunga National Park
The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International
Development are making available $496,000 of new funds to support the
park rangers and endangered wildlife of the Virunga National Park in
eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This area is home to scores
of unique species, including the mountain gorilla, which have declined
due to the region's ongoing armed conflict, poaching, demographic
pressures and habitat disturbance.
Galapagos Islands National Park
DOI-ITAP has provided capacity building workshops, training in the U.S., and on-site technical assistance in protected area management, natural resource conservation, eco-tourism, and law enforcement to staff of the Galapagos National Park and its partners, including the Charles Darwin Research Station and Wild Aid. The funding for this assistance has come to approximately $2,500,000 and was provided by USAID/Ecuador. Key results include helping prepare the marine reserve management plan, training park rangers in marine law enforcement, procuring an amphibious aircraft, boats and equipment for resource monitoring and law enforcement, and providing training in aerial photography. In addition DOI-ITAP has helped the park to develop methods for combating invasive species, create directional and educational signage, and design exhibits, displays and a native plant botanical garden for visitor centers.
Tikal National Park
Using funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank, a team consisting of three DOI staff (architect, planner, and educator) provided technical assistance to park staff at Tikal on developing visitor infrastructure.
Honduras
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve
DOI-ITAP worked to protect the indigenous peoples and the biological diversity of the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, which is on the List of World Heritage in Danger, through direct actions in the Reserve, and by helping the Government of Honduras to establish administrative controls throughout the Reserve. The key areas of DOI-ITAP’s work dealt with economic development, tourism, community participation and local capacity building. Funding came through USAID/Honduras at about $300,000. Key results included assisting in the establishment of the first two lending banks in the Reserve, helping to create some initial infrastructure including food, lodging, and restroom facilities as well as developing promotional materials to attract tourists. DOI-ITAP also provided training in endangered species conservation, strategic planning, decision-making, negotiation, conflict resolution, communication and uses of technology to a variety of local community, educational, political and trade organizations in the Reserve.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation through Embassy Mumbai provided $20,619 for conservation and training initiatives in 2003 to preserve the Medhi Talao Ensemble at Champaner-Pavagadh. Champaner-Pavagadh was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
India
Manas National Park
The purpose of this study is to estimate elephant populations, study their habitat utilization and movement patterns, stratify their habitat based on elephant density, monitor human-elephant conflict and address immediate threats. It will also continue to build local capacity while promoting conservation, and encourage the local communities to cultivate alternative crops that are not palatable to elephants. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $49,000 grant to its partner Aaranyak for this study.
Jordan
Petra
1. Working with a former NPS staffer, DOI-ITAP helped provide technical assistance to improve the management of Petra and develop an operational plan.
2. Working with the Government of Jordan and other donors, USAID contributed $28 million of the total $45 million cost of a project to design and build a water treatment plant in Wadi Mousa near Petra. The water treatment plant benefits 17,000 residents, up to 3,000 tourists a day, the tourism sector as a whole and the natural environment of Petra. Furthermore, the high-quality treated wastewater coming out of the treatment plant is being used to irrigate a nearby model farm to demonstrate the safe and effective use of reclaimed water in irrigating high-value crops of environmental and phyto-sanitary suitability.
Kenya
Mount Kenya National Park (The Samburu Hearland)
DOI-ITAP assisted the African Wildlife Federation (AWF) in planning for management of the Samburu Heartland. This area is located just north of the equator in the rain-shadow of Mt. Kenya and encompasses parts of Mt. Kenya and Aberdare National Parks, Samburu Game Reserve, plus extensive ranch and communal lands in Laikipia, Samburu and parts of Isiolo district.
Lebanon
Quadi Qadisha (The Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God
The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation provided $35,000 through Embassy Beirut in 2004 for the complete restoration and conservation of the Mar Bichay Hermitage, which dates from the mid-12th century. The Hermitage adjoins one of the oldest monasteries in Lebanon. The buildings were in use until about 100 years ago. Neglect and constant exposure to elements have led to steady deterioration since then. The Hermitage is located in Qadisha Valley, a World Heritage Site recognized for its collection of monasteries.
Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)
Ohrid Region
Through USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives’ (OTI) Macedonia Confidence Building Initiative (CBI), a grant of $34,000 was provided to support the municipality of Ohrid in transforming seven acres of land, previously used as a dumpsite, into a public green space. The land allocated for the public garden is two hundred meters from the shores of Lake Ohrid, and within strolling distance of pedestrian walkways.
Mali
Old Towns of Djenne
USAID/Mali provided computer equipment and a one-year Internet subscription for the Imam of Djenne, an influential religious and spiritual leader who heads the Moslem community in one of Africa’s most important Islamic cities. The Internet allows the Imam to access information and to promote Djenne’s rich historical, cultural and religious heritage. The Imam can now communicate to a much broader audience about Djenne’s rich cultural and historical heritage through a website he is developing.
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