The NM sitewatch (sitewatch) mission is to monitor at-risk heritage resources through a site steward program

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Division, received a $114,256.67 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, under the Cultural and Paleontological Resources Management program (CFDA 15.224). The funding will support the NM Sitewatch program, which aims to protect and preserve at-risk cultural resources in New Mexico through volunteer site monitoring, training, and public education efforts. Key activities include developing online training modules, brochures, handbooks, and branded materials to engage more volunteers and provide continuity for the program. The award will also fund annual meetings and volunteer recognition awards to improve volunteer retention. The Sitewatch program assists the Bureau of Land Management in fulfilling its federal trust responsibility by training volunteers to recognize and report disturbances to significant cultural sites, many of which are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Sitewatch seeks to protect and preserve cultural resources at risk from vandalism, theft and natural processes through monitoring and education. Volunteers visit at risk cultural resources to report site conditions. Funding will support the program and aid in program recovery from the covid 19 pandemic by training new stewards and rewarding stewards for their service. This will include developing online training and written materials such as brochures and handbooks, and support for annual meetings and volunteer awards. Brochures, handbooks, awards, and giveaways, such as pencils, pens, flashlights, will be branded with the sitewatch logo to engage more members of the public and provide additional program continuity.sitewatch assists BLM in its federal trust responsibility by training volunteers to recognize signs of human made disturbance and natural degradation at significant cultural sites. Cultural resources monitored by sitewatch are eligible for inclusion on the national register of historic places. Many of these sites are also considered culturally significant by local tribes and tribal staff have taken sitewatch training in fulfillment of job requirements or as individuals.sitewatch provides an opportunity for public engagement with people interested in outdoor recreation and archaeology. Through training and education, they gain the opportunity to be part of a team with a goal of both cultural and environmental preservation. Sitewatch stewards are trusted, trained volunteers. The development of training modules, training materials, and support for annual meetings and volunteer awards will further the education of volunteers, help recruit new volunteers who can potentially monitor on BLM lands, and help with retention in the program.development of training modules and training materials for site stewards will provide information on the laws and regulations of federal and state agencies and procedures for notification when disturbances to sites such as LA cieneguilla petroglyphs, occurs. Development of quality training materials and annual meetings is very important for training and retention of sitewatch volunteers. Being able to retain a robust volunteer program is essential to continuing the program on BLM lands and working with BLM law enforcement to monitor and protect new mexicos significant cultural resources. The sitewatch program helps deter unauthorized excavation and damage to archaeological sites and other cultural resources by administering and helping volunteer monitors. The program promotes meaningful conservation and stewardship and provides trained volunteers with recreation opportunities on public lands. This is done with the goal of sustaining the resources cultural and scientific integrity for the continued enjoyment of the american people. Site stewards are trained to be informed partners to public agencies, including BLM. They sign and adhere to a code of conduct to keep site locations confidential, and they educate other community members about the cultural and scientific value of archaeological sites and other cultural resources. Development of new brochures, handbooks, and training modules and other materials will advertise the program and provide volunteers with readily accessible information. This material will help with recruitment of new volunteers as well as retainment of volunteers already in the program. Annual meetings and awards for volunteer service are appreciated by the volunteers and go a long way towards retention in the program by fostering a sense of community. Sitewatch chapters with long term volunteers are stronger and more engaged with federal agency partners as well as the public.