Guardians of the Past, Stewards of the Future: Why Arizona’s Site Steward Program Matters Now More Than Ever

In 2026, the nation will mark two milestone anniversaries that invite reflection on our shared history: America’s Semiquincentennial (250 years since independence) and the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Nowhere do these anniversaries resonate more deeply than in Arizona – a place where Indigenous heritage, early exploration, settlement, transportation, and innovation are written directly into the landscape. Protecting those stories on the ground is the daily work of the Arizona Site Steward Program (SSP), one of the state’s most effective – and most vulnerable – historic preservation success stories. 

A Program Built on Vision, Partnership, and Service 

The Arizona Site Steward Program was created under Governor Bruce Babbitt and the Archaeology Advisory Commission to address a growing need: protecting cultural sites on Arizona’s vast public lands. What began with three regions and four partners has grown into a statewide network encompassing 32 local, state, federal, and nonprofit partners. Today, the program is administered by Arizona State Parks & Trails (ASPT) and supported by the Arizona Site Steward Program Foundation, a 501(c)(3). 

At its heart, SSP is powered by volunteers. Site Stewards are trained, certified, and supported by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and work in close coordination with land managers such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Land Department, Tribal governments, counties, and municipalities. Their primary responsibility is simple but profound: regularly monitor archaeological, historical, and paleontological sites and report looting, vandalism, or other threats before irreversible damage occurs. 

Why Site Stewards Matter – Especially Now 

Arizona is home to tens of thousands of recorded archaeological sites, spanning more than 13,000 years of human history. No agency – federal, state, or tribal – has the staff or resources to monitor this landscape alone. Site Stewards serve as trained eyes and ears on the ground, providing early warnings that allow land managers to respond quickly and effectively. 

As visitation increases ahead of the Semiquincentennial and Route 66 Centennial, pressures on cultural sites will only intensify. Heritage tourism brings economic opportunity, but it also brings risk: unintentional damage, artifact collecting, vandalism, and increased wear on fragile places. SSP helps ensure that celebration does not come at the expense of preservation. 

A Proven Track Record of Success 

Over nearly four decades, the Arizona Site Steward Program has demonstrated remarkable results:

• Deterring Looting and Vandalism: The visible presence of trained volunteers has proven to be one of the most effective deterrents to site damage, particularly in remote areas.

• Early Intervention: Stewards have identified and reported threats – from illegal excavation to off-road vehicle damage – allowing land managers to stabilize sites before losses became catastrophic.

• Education and Outreach: Through public talks, guided site etiquette discussions, and community events, Site Stewards help the public understand why these places matter and how to enjoy them responsibly.

• Stronger Interagency Cooperation: SSP has become a national model for collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and local partners, strengthening trust and shared stewardship.

• National Leadership: Arizona’s SSP is the largest Site Steward program in the country and the second oldest – often looked to by other states as a best-practice example. 

  
  

In short, SSP has shown that well-trained volunteers, working within a professional framework, can dramatically extend the reach of preservation efforts. 

The Historic Preservation Fund: The Backbone of the Program 

None of this success happens in a vacuum. The Arizona Site Steward Program depends heavily on the federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which provides grants-in-aid to State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) nationwide.

Established in 1977 and funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenues – not taxpayer dollars – HPF supports the core functions of preservation in Arizona. These funds keep the SHPO operating, supporting a staff of archaeologists and preservation professionals who: 

• Review federal undertakings such as highway construction, utility installation, and other ground-disturbing projects to ensure cultural resources are not harmed. 

• Administer and support the Site Steward Program, including training, certification, coordination, and oversight. 

• Assist communities, businesses, and individuals with listings in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Without HPF, these responsibilities do not disappear. Instead, projects grind to a halt, lawsuits increase, and both preservation and economic development suffer. The HPF provides certainty, expertise, and efficiency – benefiting preservation advocates and developers alike. 

What Happens If HPF Is Lost? 

The potential elimination of HPF funding poses an existential threat to the Arizona Site Steward Program. Arizona State Parks & Trails has made clear that if it must absorb SHPO staffing costs currently covered by HPF, SSP would likely be eliminated. The consequences would be immediate and severe: 

• Loss of the State’s Most Effective Monitoring Network: Hundreds of trained volunteers would no longer be coordinated or supported. 

• Increased Looting and Vandalism: Fewer eyes on the ground means more damage—and more permanent loss. 

• Weakened Public Education: Outreach and stewardship ethics would decline just as visitation increases. 

• A Bitter Irony: In 2026, the year SSP celebrates its 40th anniversary, Arizona could lose its most successful community-based preservation program. 

Looking Ahead: Stewardship as a Civic Responsibility 

As Arizona prepares to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and the centennial of Route 66, the question is not whether history matters – but whether we are willing to protect it. The Arizona Site Steward Program embodies the best of civic engagement: citizens working alongside professionals to safeguard irreplaceable places for future generations. 

Sustaining SSP means sustaining the Historic Preservation Fund. It means recognizing that preservation is not a luxury, but essential infrastructure for cultural identity, education, tourism, and economic stability. 

How You Can Help 

• Become a Site Steward: Volunteers from all backgrounds are welcome. Training and certification are provided. 

• Support the Program Financially: Donations to the Arizona Site Steward Program Foundation help fill critical gaps. 

• Speak Up: Let elected officials know that HPF funding matters – to Arizona’s history, economy, and future. 

As we celebrate where we’ve been, the Arizona Site Steward Program ensures we don’t lose it along the way. In 2026 and beyond, these volunteers remain true guardians of the past – and stewards of our shared future.