The Heritage Conservation Office, in collaboration with the GIS Department, has created a new interactive story map to share the history and impact of the Natural and Cultural Heritage grant program, which is funded by Douglas County.

The program, which is overseen by the Heritage Conservation Council, aims to assist with the development and implementation of community-led heritage conservation projects in Douglas County. The program has become a critical funding source for organizations in Douglas County to support the conservation of our valuable and vulnerable natural and cultural heritage resources. 

Since the program was launched in 2011, more than $3.2 million has been awarded to 124 distinct heritage conservation projects across three primary categories: natural heritage, cultural heritage and historic preservation. 

The primary strength of the program lies in the diversity of projects that have been funded. From rehabilitating historic schoolhouses and restoring native plants along riverbanks to encouraging community engagement with our community’s history, the interactive story map highlights the impact of the grant program and offers an opportunity to learn more about important heritage conservation work happening in Douglas County.