What We Do
The Arizona Site Steward Program Foundation (ASSPF) works in collaboration with the Program Coordinator, Regional Coordinators, State and Federal Land Managers, Tribes, and Site Stewards.
ASSPF is here to provide assistance to the Site Steward Program and help find ways to improve its function and performance. It will provide support for training Site Stewards and sharing expertise through collaborative volunteer efforts.
ASSPF will solicit funding for the program through grants, corporate sponsorships, and private tax-deductible donations that can be used for Site Steward training, the annual Site Steward Conference honoring our Site Steward volunteers and Arizona Project Archaeology which uses a science-based curriculum to teach Archaeology in Arizona schools.
ASSPF will also sponsor public education and preservation outreach to help the Site Steward Program communicate its goals and needs to the general public and promote consideration for the value of protecting cultural resources as a vital part of the heritage of our shared past in Arizona. This will, in turn, generate public support for the program and help to recruit new Stewards.
ASSPF sponsors and serves as the fiscal agent for Arizona Project Archaeology. Developed by Montana State University and the US Bureau of Land Management, Project Archaeology provides a fully developed, interdisciplinary science-based Archaeological curriculum for 3rd-5th graders, in compliance with 2019 Arizona History Standards.
Who We Are
The Board of Directors for ASSPF reflects and represents all aspects of the Site Steward Program with positions filled by Land Managers, Tribal Representatives, a SHPO representative, the Site Steward Program Coordinator, Regional Coordinators, and Site Stewards so that all levels of the Program are involved in decision-making for the Foundation.
Ways that ASSPF will Support the Site Steward Program
Site Protection - Preserving the special places of our past by providing signage to inform the public about the irreplaceable cultural resources they may be entering. Providing field cameras to help monitor for unauthorized site access, so actions may be taken to better identify criminal activity to help prosecute vandals or thieves.
Site Steward Training - With over 800 Site Steward volunteers monitoring historic and prehistoric sites around the State, it is challenging to ensure consistent, high quality training. Your donations will help create training tools in different formats (on-line, video, interactive, classroom instruction, field instruction) so Site Stewards are well prepared.
Workshops/Conferences – After initial training, Site Stewards benefit by being informed about current archaeological findings, on-going research, best practices in site management and a host of other issues that help make them not only the best Stewards, but the best Ambassadors for the Program.
Preservation Outreach – Educating the public about the importance of site preservation, the role of the Site Steward Program and challenges faced by public land managers in trying to protect sites has always been a goal of the Program. Your donations will help support Site Stewards as they promote this outreach through booths at public events or targeted presentations to civil/social clubs or schools.
Site Steward Awards and Recognition – Our Stewards work very hard to protect sites every day. They are irreplaceable champions for the Program. Your donations will help us recognize their outstanding contributions.