- Cultural Resource Protection
Education
Cultural Resource Protection for Private Landowners - Site Stewardship, Overview
Site Stewardship Agreement
The Florida Site Steward Agreement is modeled after stewardship registry programs
in states such as Kentucky, North Dakota, and Tennessee. By signing the steward
agreement, a property owner agrees to notify the State prior to initiating activities
that may have a negative impact on the site or to report destructive acts such
as dumping, unauthorized digging, or environmental degradation. The Site Stewardship Agreement includes a statement
of commitment by the State to provide guidance and technical assistance in site preservation. The agreement may
allow regular site visits by a state archaeologist for the purposes of evaluating the site and the success of the
agreement, and to offer assistance in site management.
The first Florida Site Steward is Mr. Bemis Smith, who
owns the Edmund Lee Cemetery. Mr. Smith is interested in cleaning the cemetery,
locating its burials, and erecting an historic marker for public interest. In mid
March, staff went to Bradenton, Florida, to award Mr. Smith a certificate and plaque
for his participation in the Program. Lee family members were there for the presentation
along with the local media.
