San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Receives National Park Foundation Grant for Cultural Landscape Apprentices

News Release Date:
August 6, 2024

Contact:San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Communications Office, 210-612-5725

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park has received a grant from the National Park Foundation to continue preservation work in the park through the Cultural Landscape Apprentice Program. This youth program in partnership with the Student Conservation Association engages young adults in cultural landscape preservation service within the urban national park beginning in the Fall of 2024 through Summer of 2024.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was inscribed as the first World Heritage Site in Texas by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) in 2015, and includes four Spanish colonial missions - Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada. The park was created not only to protect the mission structures but also the irrigation systems (acequias) that were integral to each mission. Preservation of these acequia systems and the historic structures and cultural landscapes is vital to retain historical integrity, and for providing park visitors with a more complete picture of colonial mission life. The youth apprentices work together with National Park Service staff to aid in the preservation of internationally significant cultural resources and historical landscapes.

"Seeing young adults become knowledgeable and passionate about the preservation of San Antonio's cultural resources is invaluable," said Superintendent Christine Jacobs. "Through the National Park Foundation's grant, San Antonio Missions not only has better capacity to maintain the numerous preservation efforts throughout the park, but are also forming the next generation of resource stewards."

The National Park Foundation's Service Corps program provides grants to parks, park partners, and community organizers to support crews across the country as a meaningful way to engage young adults in national parks. Through an array of restoration and preservation projects, service corps members form deep relationships with each other and parks, explore outdoor careers, gain practical field skills, and develop confidence as leaders. In addition, as a career ladder, this project provides funds for a paid entry level position as part of the crew for those that have recently completed a youth service commitment.

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