Native American and Hawaiian sacred sites are threatened all over the United States. The Bush Administration’s determination to drill for oil and gas, expedite coal mining and nuclear waste storage, and weaken regulations on hard-rock mining has intensified the assault on sacred lands. To learn more about endangered sacred places in the U.S., and to find out what you can do to help, take a closer look at our endangered sites page.

Some struggles have been resolved. To learn about eleven prominent Native American and Hawaiian sacred places contested in recent years, along with the outcome, lessons learned, and resources for further research, continue exploring on our historical sites page.

Around the world there are thousands of places regarded as sacred. Some are still carefully guarded by indigenous people and are sites of secret ceremony and prayer. Some are national shrines known to millions. These holy sites emanate a magnetic force that draws people from far away, though the journey is frequently made only in the imagination. Often sacred sites are embroiled in conflicts over preservation, resource development or tourism. Their histories are long and complex; they embody the tenacity of ancient cultures and preserve vast areas of biodiversity. To learn about some well known, and some lesser known, of the Earth’s sacred places, follow the link on the map below.

We are currently producing a four-part series on sacred places around the world, entitled Losing Sacred Ground.