FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK (FPAN) SOUTHEAST/SOUTHWEST REGION at FAU

 

Sarah Ayers-Rigsby
REGIONAL Director, FPAN South

 

Check Out FPAN's Social Media at: http://www.facebook.com/FPANsoutheast/

Founded in 2005 through the cooperative efforts of the Florida Department of State and the University of West Florida (UWF), the Florida Public Archaeology Network's (FPAN) mission is to promote and facilitate the conservation, study and public understanding of Florida's archaeological heritage throughout the state.  FPAN is dedicated to the protection of cultural resources, both on land and underwater, and to involving the public in the study of their past.  Regional centers around Florida serve as clearinghouses for information, institutions for learning and training, and headquarters for public participation in archaeology.

Encompassing the southern pennisula of Florida, east and west from Ft. Myers to Ft. Lauderdale and north and south from Palm Beach county to the Florida Keys, FPAN South has the following objectives in the south Florida's fast-growing metropolitan area:

• Coordinating the preservation of archaeological knowledge within the urban development framework of south Florida
• Creating alliances across institutions that can impact the perception of the archaeological resources of the region
• Planning outreach and strategies for bringing an understanding of archaeology to diverse publics that include teachers (3-12), city and county governments, developers, scuba diver organizations and associations, etc.
• Developing web-based public archaeology materials targeted for particular stakeholder audiences.
• Promoting heritage tourism

For Local Governments:  FPAN South advises and supports local governments in their efforts to preserve and protect archaeological resources, particularly from the effects of development and sea-level rise.  FPAN South collaborates with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Florida Division of Historical Resources, city and county governments, county and regional archaeologists, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  FPAN South assists with the evaluation of endangered sites, provides consultation about cultural resource management, offers educational opportunities for parks employees, and encourages visitation to local heritage tourism sites.

For the Florida Department of Historical Resources:  FPAN South promotes state sponsored projects, provides educational materials to private and public schools, promotes underwater heritage tourism sites, participates in Florida Archaeology Month events, and provides education to the public at large.

For Schools and Education Centers:  With an emphasis on reaching underserved communities, FPAN South delivers free educational programs to well over 1000 school-aged students annually.  FPAN South develops lesson plans and modules for teachers wishing the enhance their skills in the teaching of archaeology.  FPAN South conducts talks and demonstrations. 

For Museums, Historical and Anthropological Societies:  Since 2018 FPAN South has developed collaborative partnerships with many cultural institutions throughout south Florida, including the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the Florida Museum of Natural History's Randell Research Center, the Jupiter Lighthouse & Museum, the Marco Island Historical Museum, the Mound House, the History Miami Museum and many regional, historic and anthropological societies.

For Public Parks:  Through partnerships with parks, FPAN South undertakes fieldwork and construction site monitoring.  FPAN South provides heritage preservation training for adult learners, and educational hands-on activities for summer campers.  FPAN South participates in festivals and other public events.  Partnership with public parks include eight state parks:  Indian key, Delnor Wiggins, Lignumvitae, Johnathan Dickenson, Pennecamp, Bill Baggs Cape Florida, Charlotte Harbor Preserve and Krenshan State Park, as well as Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, and Arch Creek Park, which are operated by the National Park Service.

For Civic Organizations, Societies, and Clubs:  FPAN South participates in celebrations, meetings and events with heritage themes.  FPAN South staff and graduate interns make presentations to libraries and scout troops.

For Citizens and Visitors:   FPAN South offers lectures and presentations to learn about the archaeology of Florida.  It encourages the preservation and patronage of archaeological sites, on land and underwater, at museums & cultural heritage sites. 

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is especially equipped for this mission with the resources of its campuses along the eastern coast of Florida.  FPAN South staffs both terrestrial and marine archaeologists.

 

For More Information About The Florida Public Archaeology Network

Go To The Website at http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/serc/ or Call The FPAN South at 954-254-9657