LHI Mission
Land Heritage Institute~a living land museum~promotes lifelong learning for students of all ages by providing interactive experiences with historical, environmental and cultural landscapes.
Revised 2012
Land Heritage Institute interprets, maintains and develops 1200 acres of open space on the Medina River preserving archeological, cultural, educational, environmental, historical and recreational resources:
Archaeological: To stabilize and to preserve historical and archaeological sites on the property for present and future generations. To facilitate with control the access to and the pursuit of archaeological evidence on the property in compliance with all state and federal laws.
Cultural: To provide an opportunity for citizens to experience their history and culture as it has been lived at the Medina River Property. To provide an opportunity for the public to explore and to experience the arts within the context of the natural environment. To provide an opportunity for the public to see and learn about the communities that lived on the land and the many cultural resources that have molded the multi-cultural environment of the City of San Antonio region. These communities include Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic descendants and other European descendants.
Educational: To provide educational opportunities to the general public by providing controlled access to the Medina River Property. Envisioned educational opportunities include training opportunities for soil and water sample studies, wildlife preservation, environmental studies, archaeological studies, farming studies, native grassland restoration studies, irrigation techniques, responsible grazing and ranchland techniques, living history demonstrations, heirloom gardening, wildlife habitat management demonstrations and geological studies.
Environmental: To preserve the Medina River Property in its natural state, protect the natural resources, preserve the wildlife habitat and population and to restore the habitat to a state that furthers the purposes of the Institute.
Historical: To preserve and to conserve historical elements and structures, and restore these facilities in order to allow them to be seen, used and appreciated by the public.
Recreational: To provide a place for organizations to enjoy the outdoors in a responsible and managed environment. Envisioned recreational opportunities include providing campgrounds for families and for youth groups, hiking, biking and bridle trailways, nature watching, and other organized open space activities that would allow the public more opportunities to experience the vision of the Land Heritage Institute of the Americas.
Adopted June 6, 2002; revised 2010