The Central Regional Center (CRC) of the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) is located at the Crystal River Preserve State Park in Citrus County, the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast.  FPAN is an innovative approach to public archaeology designed to increase public awareness of Florida archaeology and promote and protect the state’s buried and submerged past.

The FPAN Center is staffed by public archaeologists and other staff committed to assisting the community to discover, understand, and protect archaeological resources within the Center’s nine county service region.  FPAN’s main goals are to participate in public outreach and education, help advise local and county governments with their archaeological needs, and assist the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources.  The CRC serves Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Gilchrist, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties.

The FPAN CRC is hosted by the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida, Tampa.  The USF Anthropology Department is a nationally recognized, top-ranked educational program with a special emphasis on Applied Anthropology and Public Archaeology.