The government of B.C. is providing $500,000 to Heritage BC to help local governments and heritage organizations strengthen the presence of heritage buildings and historic sites in local communities and help implement the province's heritage strategy, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The Heritage Strategy for British Columbia: Our Heritage, Historic Places, also released today by Thomson, outlines the Province's future plans to ensure B.C.'s historic places remain an active and dynamic part of B.C. communities.

Through the strategy, the Province is providing Heritage BC $500,000 to transform its business model. The funding will help strengthen the organization's already-proven ability to deliver heritage planning and training services to communities and provide other heritage conservation services to support the preservation of historic places throughout B.C. As well, Heritage BC now will be the fund advisor to the $5 million Heritage Legacy Fund.

The strategy was prepared with input from local governments, businesses, heritage advocates and the public. It highlights three main goals to achieve a sustained and growing presence of historic sites in local communities including responsible heritage stewardship at all levels of government, a strong economy that embraces the economic and social contributions of historic places and a strong sense of community identity through access to services that recognize the value of local heritage.

These goals will be achieved through collaboration of all partners and stakeholders as well as by building local government and community capacity for heritage conservation.

B.C.'s historic buildings, structures and cultural landscapes provide social and economic benefits to communities and families throughout the province and help British Columbians appreciate where we come from as a society.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Historic places are an important part of B.C.'s past, present and future. Ensuring these jewels are conserved will contribute to healthy and culturally rich communities for years to come."

Eric Pattison, president, Heritage BC -

"Through this tremendous support from government, Heritage BC will be able to implement exciting new initiatives that will strengthen heritage conservation in communities across the province. This support recognizes the possibilities of the future grow from the rich soil of our past."

Quick Facts:

• Local governments have been responsible for conserving their community's historic places since 1994, when legislation was amended to provide them with tools to recognize, protect and encourage conservation.

• Budget 2012 included a commitment of $21 million over the next three years for the maintenance and operation of provincial heritage sites.

• The allocation for 2012-13 is $7.046 million, which will create an estimated 96 direct, full-time jobs.

• B.C.'s Register of Historic Places has over 3,500 listings of recognized historic places - and there are hundreds more that have yet to be registered.

Learn More:

Heritage Strategy for British Columbia: Our Heritage, Historic Places: http://ow.ly/hHiYt

Heritage Branch: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/heritage/

Heritage BC: http://www.heritagebc.ca/

Heritage Legacy Fund of BC: http://www.heritagelegacyfund.ca/

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261