Since 1988, the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list has been one of the most effective tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. Angel Island Immigration Station, one of 1999's 11 Most Endangered. The 11 sites chosen each year are threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. Some are well-known, such as the Vieux Carr ̌in New Orleans or Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Others, like the Kennecott Copper Mines in Alaska or the village of East Aurora, New York, are less famous but just as important, because they too represent preservation challenges facing thousands of communities. Each site raises awareness about the dangers to specific parts of America's heritage and about preservation generally. The list has now brought national attention to 168 significant buildings, sites and landscapes. At times, that attention has galvanized public support to rescue a treasured landmark, while in others, it has been an opening salvo in a long battle to save an important piece of our history. 11 Most has been so successful at educating the public that now more than 20 states and numerous cities and towns publish their own lists of endangered places.