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San Antonio –This week, the National Park Service (NPS) announced $15 million in support of 70 projects in 63 parks, including $29,120 at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, to conduct deferred maintenance on historic acequias, or irrigation ditches, at Mission San Juan. The funding for San Antonio Missions will be matched with $25,000 from the San Antonio Conservation Society, facilitated by Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, for farm education programming. Funding for the project is provided through the National Park Service's Centennial Challenge Program to leverage partnerships to improve visitor services, support outreach to new audiences, and reinvigorate national parks while forging connections with communities. Congress provided $15 million for the Centennial Challenge projects, which will be matched by $34 million from more than 90 park partners. The 70 projects total more than $49 million and are located at 63 parks in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "As the National Park Service enters its centennial year in 2016, Congress and generous partners across the country are making exceptional investments to improve park facilities, enhance their accessibility, and help more visitors –especially young people –discover our nation's inspiring places and stories," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is pleased to be able to leverage partner and NPS funding to implement this project as we celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service," said park superintendent Mardi Arce. "The San Juan and Espada acequias were vital to the success of the missions and remain an The 13 mile long San Juan and Espada acequias are irrigation ditches constructed by the 18th century Native American inhabitants of the missions. These irrigation systems provided much needed water for agricultural and other endeavors. The San Juan acequia is a critical aspect of the Spanish Colonial demonstration farm at Mission San Juan. The NPS funding will be used to conduct 6.5 miles of acequia maintenance including removal of silt, organic debris, trash dumps, and vegetative growth from the channel, and berms and earthworks will be repaired. Irrigation gates will be inspected and repaired. Washouts and minor breeches will be identified and repaired to maintain structural integrity. These historic systems are essential educational tools for the NPS in demonstrating historic irrigation and farming techniques. Facilitated by Los Compadres, the San Antonio Conservation Society will provide matching funding for park rangers to conduct curriculum-based farm education programming at Mission San Juan. About Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions About the San Antonio Conservation Society About San Antonio Missions National Historical Park About the National Park Service # # # |
Last updated: May 5, 2025