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 Norm Nelson, Coordinator at normanb.nelson@state.nm.us , or 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
New Mexico SiteWatch
Middle West Chapter
Training Class
July 24, 2010, 9:00AM – 3:30PM
Quemado USFS Ranger District Office
.1 Mile North of the junction of Highway 60 and NM36
Protecting the Enchantment
State of New Mexico SiteWatch Volunteer Program
State Coordinator : Norm Nelson
normanb.nelson@state.nm.us
e-mail: DCA-HPDsitewatch@state.nm.us
tel: 505-476-0255
Asst. State Coordinator : Dr. Rebecca Procter
Rebecca.Procter@state.nm.us
Vol. Dep. State Coord .: Mark Rosenblum
markrosenm@msn.com
505-866-0300; c- 363-9467
SiteWatch Coordinator Emeritus : Phil Young
Pyoung2002@comcast.net
505-466-8903; c-690-9035
_____________________________________________________________________________________
State of New Mexico SiteWatch Chapters
Central/Albuquerque Chapter
Coordinator: Mark Rosenblum
51 Vegas Rd. , Los Lunas 87031
e-mail: markrosenm@msn.com
telephone: 505-863-0300
cell: 363-9467
Chaco Chapter
Coordinator: John Morris
1115 Willow Trail, Bosque Farms 87068
e-mail: jfmorris1@msn.com
telephone: 505-869-2563
Elephant Butte/Caballo Chapter
Coordinator: Rebecca Procter
NM State Parks
e-mail: rebeccaprocter@state.nm.us
Jemez Mtns./ Los Alamos Chapter
Coordinator: open
2500 Trinity Dr. Los Alamos 87544
e-mail: george.coxey@lacnm.us
telephone: 505-663-1748
Matt Wallat- Bandelier
Matt_Wallat@nps.gov
Lincoln County Chapter
Coordinator: Ron Burkett
Telephone: (575) 649-0858
e-mail: rwburkett@valornet.com
Deputy Coord.: Gary Cozzens
e-mail: gcozzens@mac.xom
Middle Rio Grande – Socorro Chapter
Coordinator: Tom Harper
e-mail: crane@sdc.org
telephone: 575-838-4712
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
North Central NM/Taos Chapter
Coordinator: CJ Johnson
P.O. Box 736 , Taos 87571
e-mail: cjj721@q.com
telephone: 575-776-3956
Northwest NM Chapter/NM Site Stewards
Coordinator: Clay Johnston
#302 Highway 511, Blanco, NM 87412
e-mail: clayjohnston1@gmail.com
telephone: 505-632-8171
Santa Fe-Galisteo Basin/Pecos Chapter
Coordinator: open
e-mail: susanpst@newmexico.com
telephone: 505-955-1520
Deputy- Field Coord. Phil Young
Pyoung2002@comcast.net
505-466-8903; c- 690-9035
Pecos NHP: Christine Beekman
Christine_beekman@nps.gov
South Central Chapter
Coordinator: pending
Las Cruces 88004
e-mail:
telephone: 575-
Southeast NM Chapter
Coordinator: Martin Stein
Telephone: (575) 234-5967
c/o BLM- Carlsbad
e-mail: chris_m_stein@nm.blm.gov
telephone: 575-354-3185
Southwest NM Chapter
Coordinator: Kyle Meredith
617 Skyview Dr. , Silver City 88061
e-mail: kyyote@msn.com
telephone: 575-538-5706
Torrance County Chapter
Coordinator: Joe Keefe
P.O. Box 364 , Corona Ranch, NM 88318-0364
Tel. 575-849-2793
Cell 505-301-7340
e-mail: grizjoe@mac.com
Valencia County Chapter
Coordinator: Mark Rosenblum
51 Vegas Rd. , Los Lunas 87031
e-mail: markrosenm@msn.com
telephones: 505-866-0300 : c-363-9467
West Central NM Area/Gallup
Coordinator: Mark Rosenblum
51 Vegas Rd. , Los Lunas 87031
e-mail: markrosenm@msn.com
telephone: 505-863-0300
Areas Developing:
Sandia Tijeras Area Group
Cibola
Erin Hudson
ejhudson@fs.fed.us
Northeast NM
NF pending
Please read the latest SiteWatch Newsletter:
Winter 2009 SiteWatch Newsletter
Laws Governing The Handling of Cultural Properties
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