Introduction
SiteWatch trains citizen volunteers to assist land-management agencies and their preservation partners, including the Historic Preservation Division (HPD), in the protection of New Mexico’s cultural resources. It is a network of trained volunteers who monitor prehistoric and historic resources on public lands in their communities. Archaeological sites, historic buildings and trails, neon signs, bridges and structures are adopted by site stewards who routinely monitor them for signs of erosion, wear and tear, vandalism and looting.
Mission Statement
With involvement from the public, we can regularly monitor our cultural resources and preserve them for future generations.SiteWatch is founded on the belief that preserving New Mexico’s cultural heritage builds community, and enhances our quality of life by making the past part of our present-day lives. The program is funded through an annual appropriation of the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund, and support-assistance from preservation partners. Minimal state monies are available, or used, to operate HPD SiteWatch.
Statement of Purpose
Prevention of cultural resource destruction due to acts of nature, theft, or vandalism
Utilization of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of New Mexico's citizens
Raising public awareness of the value of historic preservation through education and outreach
Promoting cooperation between communities, agencies, and individuals throughout the state
Organizing citizens into a group that makes a measurable difference in their own quality of life
Stewardship of an irreplaceable resource in perpetuity
Enhancing our knowledge of New Mexico's unique history
Frequently Asked Questions
Who operates NM SiteWatch?
SiteWatch is partnership of public land-management agencies, nonprofit preservation organizations and individuals, and private land owners. Coordinated by the Historic Preservation Division, SiteWatch operates from Santa Fe, but the program works at the community level. Currently there are fifteen SiteWatch chapters operating in the state: Central NM (and Albuquerque Archaeological Society: www.abqarchaeology.org), Central North NM (Taos), Chaco Canyon, Elephant Butte/Caballo, Jemez Mountains (Los Alamos), Lincoln County [sub of SE NM chapter] (Alamogordo), Middle Rio Grande (Los Lunas-Socorro), Middle West Area [sub of Central Chapter] (Gallup), North Central NM (Taos) Northwest NM (Farmington), Santa Fe-Galisteo Basin/Pecos, South Central NM (Las Cruces), Southeast NM (Carlsbad), Southwest NM (Silver City), Torrance County (and Torrance County Archaeological Society: www.tcasnm.org). In addition, chapters in the Sandia/Tijeras area and Northeast NM are under development.
HPD, in the Department of Cultural Affairs, is the State Office that puts New Mexico in compliance with the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, which required each state and U.S. territory to establish programs to protect their cultural resources. The SiteWatch program coordinator serves primarily as a source of information and guidance, while the volunteer site stewards, program partners and Advisory Council provide input and direction for the program.
What do NM SiteWatch volunteers do?
A site steward’s primary tasks are to regularly visit local cultural sites to monitor and report on their condition. Reports provide land managers with crucial information about the condition of the resources, allowing volunteers to make a real contribution to the protection of New Mexico's cultural resources. In the process, they visit places most people only read about. With advanced levels of training stewards may also assist agency archaeologists with pedestrian surveys looking for new sites and/or monitoring of project activities in proximity to known sites in order to avoid damages.
Persons unable to visit sites due to handicap, location, or any other reason, still can contribute. SiteWatch has a real need for volunteers to visit classrooms, provide training, perform clerical duties and serve as a conduit for feedback to the program coordinator.
Who can become a Site Steward?
Anyone who is ready to make a commitment to historic preservation and willing to abide by the SiteWatch Code of Conduct.
When does the program start?
Training classes are ongoing, and will be held quarterly around the state.
Who are some of our SiteWatch Partners?
Land management agencies (Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, State Parks, State Lands Office, Los Alamos County, Santa Fe County), professional and educational organizations (New Mexico Archaeological Council, Archaeological Society of New Mexico and local affiliates), plus members of the public from around the state. Check out some of our steward partners at: http://www.nmstewards.org/, http://www.sfnfsitestewards.org/ and in Arizona: http://www.pr.state.az.us/partnerships/shpo/sitestew.html
How do I get more information?
Please call Phil Young, Coordinator, e-mail him at DCA-HPDsitewatch@state.nm.us.
TRAINING
State of New Mexico
Historic Preservation Division, Department of Cultural Affairs
407 Galisteo St., Rm 236
Santa Fe , New Mexico 87501
November 22, 2008 in Lincoln County
Protecting the Enchantment
SiteWatch Chapters
Northwest NM Chapter/NM Site Stewards North Central NM/ Taos Chapter
Coordinator: Tom Whitson Coordinator: CJ Johnson
474 Rainbow Rd., Durango, CO 81303 P.O. Box 736, Taos 87571
e-mail: nmssp@frontier.net e-mail: cjj721@q.com
telephone: 970-247-4858 telephone: 575-776-3956
NCNM’s Los Vecinos del Rio/Wells Petroglyph Preserve
Coordinator: James Romero (Suzie Frazier)
PO Box 407, Velarde 87582
e-mail: jpr.elancon@yahoo.com
telephone: 505-852-1351
Chaco Chapter Jemez Mtns./ Los Alamos Chapter
Coordinator: John Morris Coordinator: George Coxey
1115 Willow Trail, Bosque Farms 87068 2500 Trinity Dr. Los Alamos 87544
e-mail: jfmorris1@msn.com e-mail: george.coxey@lacnm.us
telephone: 505-869-2563 telephone: 505-663-1748
Brian Dominy- Bandelier
Santa Fe-Galisteo Basin/Pecos Chapter State of New Mexico SiteWatch
Coordinator: Phil Young State Coordinator: VACANT
e-mail: pyoung2002@comcast.net “Acting” Coordinator: Phil Young
telephone: 505-466-8903/cell: 690-9035 e-mail: DCA-HPDsitewatch@state.nm.us
Pecos NHP: Christine Beekman Asst. State Coord.: Mark Rosenblum Christine_beekman@nps.gov tel: 505-827-6320 (HPD messages only)
505-757-7210
West Central NM Area/Gallup
Central/Albuquerque Chapter Coordinator: Sheila Brewer
Coordinator: Mark Rosenblum 611 E. Mesa, Gallup 87301
51 Vegas Rd., Los Lunas 87031 e-mail: sheilabrewer1963@cnetco.com
e-mail: markrosenm@msn.com telephone: 505-863-4517
telephone: 505-866-0300
cell: 363-9467
Middle Rio Grande Chapter Torrance County Chapter
Coordinators: Mark Rosenblum ( Tom Harper) Coordinator: Bill Simms
51 Vegas Rd., Los Lunas 87031 9360-A Old Hwy 14, Estancia 87016
e-mails: markrosenm@msn.com e-mail: rwsimms@att.net
crane@sdc.org telephone: 575-384-6039
telephones: 505-866-0300 (Mark); 363-9467
575-838-4712 (Tom)
Southwest NM Chapter South Central Chapter
Coordinator: Kyle Meredith Coordinator: Deb Dennis
617 Skyview Dr., Silver City 88061 c/o HSR, PO Drawer 728, Las Cruces 88004
e-mail: kyyote@msn.com e-mail: sheepdog@zianet.com
telephone: 575-538-5706 telephone: 575-524-9456
Southeast NM Chapter Lincoln County Chapter
Coordinator: Martin Stein POC: Eric Dillingham (USDAFS)
Telephone: (575) 234-5967 c/o Lincoln NF 1101 New York Avenue
c/o BLM- Carlsbad Alamogordo, NM 88310
e-mail: chris_m_stein@nm.blm.gov e-mail:dillingham@fs.fed.us
telephone: 575-434-7276
Elephant Butte/Caballo Chapter
Coordinator: (Pending)
c/o Historic Preservation Div.
e-mail: NormanB.Nelson@state.nm.us
telephone: 505-476-0255
Areas Developing:
Sandia Tijeras Area Group Northeast NM
Cibola NF Abbie Reaves
Erin Hudson 505-278-3665
ejhudson@fs.fed.us abbiereaves@bacavalley.com
10-13-08
Please read the latest SiteWatch Newsletter:
autumn 2008 sitewatch newsletter
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