A historic sealing plant on St. George Island in Alaska before and after NOAA oversaw its restoration in 1998-99. Photo: NOAA.

The goals of the Preserve America executive order (E.O. 13287) are:

• Provide leadership in preserving America's heritage by actively advancing the protection, enhancement, and contemporary use of the historic properties and resources owned by the federal government.

• Promote intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships for the preservation and use of historic properties.
  
  

• Increase their knowledge of historic resources in their care and to enhance the management of these assets.
  
  

• Seek partnerships with state, tribal, and local governments and the private sector to make more efficient and informed use of their resources for economic development and other recognized public benefits.
  
  

• Better combine historic preservation and nature tourism by assisting in the development of local and regional nature tourism programs using the historic resources that are a significant feature of many state and local economies.