Project Profile: National Climate Change Guidance and Tools for Cultural Resources

Dry Tortugas National Park is located in Florida and was added to the Network in 2019. This site served as a prison for Reconstruction era political prisoners - most notably Dr. Samuel Mudd.

NPS Photo

Inflation Reduction Act
Resilience | FY24 $1,241,000

This project will advance initiatives within the National Park Service (NPS) Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate and enhance technical knowledge and expertise related to the impacts of climate change on cultural resources. The work includes several distinct efforts including,

• Machine learning first-floor elevation levels from three-dimensional scans of structures.
• Completion and analysis of a monitoring pilot project at Fort Jefferson (DRTO).
• Enhancing Tribal engagement efforts related to climate change.
• Workshops, reports, and other products related to the collective work of Inflation Reduction Act-funded cultural resources projects.

Why? Collectively, the work completed in this project creates strategies and tools to fill in critical data needed to make informed stewardship and adaptation decisions for cultural resources. This will support transformational projects and facilitate knowledge transfer and application of results for the NPS and beyond. It will also foster Tribal consultation, collaboration, and incorporation of indigenous knowledge in projects protecting cultural resources from climate change impacts.

What else? The NPS will support regional projects, focusing on knowledge transfer, collaboration, and coordination among stakeholders, culminating in a final report. There will also be a focus on Tribal consultation and collaboration to protect cultural resources, including hosting meetings to address Tribal-specific issues and integrate Indigenous knowledge. These projects aim to expand, accelerate, and improve the protection of cultural resources at risk due to climate change.

About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of out nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.