As an advisor to the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, the Heritage Conservation Council promotes and advocates for the conservation of tangible and intangible natural and cultural heritage to honor the past, enrich the present, and inspire the future. Our vision is to foster a Douglas County in which all communities benefit from and understand the value of conserving a diversity of both natural environments and cultural heritages.
The goals of the Heritage Conservation Council are to:
- Reduce Destruction and Encourage Sustainable Development: The Heritage Conservation Council strives to minimize the destruction of natural and cultural resources, cultural and agricultural heritages, and historic sites; conserves and documents their existence; and encourages smart, sustainable development and adaptive reuse.
- Serve through Advising: The Heritage Conservation Council is an essential advisory council to the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, County staff, and community and nonprofit organizations in the sector.
- Uplift Partner Organizations: The Heritage Conservation Council uplifts partner heritage organizations and catalyzes their collaboration by providing funding and building capacity.
- Encourage Accessibility: The Heritage Conservation Council encourages the accessibility of Douglas County’s natural and cultural resources, and evaluates their continued use and value to the community.
Upcoming Event: Douglas County Barn Fest
Join us for Douglas County's Barn Fest!
November 8 and 9, 2024 in Lecompton Kansas
Join the Heritage Conservation Council for two days of learning about the preservation of historic barns in Douglas County! This unique, free event aims to highlight the beauty and stories held within the historic farmsteads of Douglas County, and connect and convene property owners, students, contractors, and enthusiasts interested in the preservation of these places and stories.
Barn Fest will lead off with an all-day workshop in Lecompton, KS, featuring speaker sessions that highlight steps to barn preservation, an introduction to rural architecture, and a dive into the full lifecycle of barns in our region. The second day of Barn Fest will be a guided tour of up to six historic barns and structures across Douglas County. Drive on your own or join a carpool that will begin in Lecompton!
Click here to view the full event schedule and learn more about what we have in store for Barn Fest!
The Barn Tour on November 9th is currently full! Please send an email to kammerlaan@dgcoks.gov if you would like to join the waitlist. There are still plenty of spots available for the workshop on November 8th. Please click the button below to fill out the form below to confirm your registration.
This event has been funded in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant from the Kansas Historical Society.
Heritage Conservation Council Members
Heritage Conservation Council Meetings
The Heritage Conservation Council hosts monthly business meetings generally on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm either in-person or via Zoom. Anyone is welcome to attend these public meetings. Public comment can be provided at the start of the meeting. Attendance information for each individual meeting can be found in the Upcoming Meetings section.
Occasionally, Heritage Conservation Council committee members will meet in between monthly meetings to further discuss proposed projects and goals. While no binding actions or decisions are made at these committee meetings, HCC business is discussed. If a quorum of HCC members is present at these meetings, the meeting information will be included below.
Upcoming Meetings
Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program
Explore the impact of Douglas County's Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program through this interactive map.
Open Space Plan
Identified as a priority in Plan 2040, Douglas County has launched a collaborative planning process to establish the Douglas County Open Space Plan.
Conservation Resources
Learn more about resources available for natural and cultural heritage conservation in Douglas County.
Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
The application period for HCC’s annual Natural and Cultural Hertiage Grant program is currently closed. Check back in January for information about the 2025 grant cycle.
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1006 New Hampshire Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
United States