Archaeology and Cultural Resources

Of all the many tourist destinations in the West, few combine the landscapes and romance of the western experience as strikingly as the archeological and historic sites in the Southwest.

Waiting silently in the mountains, canyons, and river valleys of our national forests and grasslands are the remnants of past cultures that confront us and remind us of the centuries-old relationship between people and the land. These heritage resources hold clues to past ecosystems, add richness and depth to our landscapes, provide links to living traditions, and help transform a beautiful walk in the woods into an unforgettable encounter with history. - National Heritage Strategy, 1998.

The purpose of the Heritage Program is to protect significant heritage resources, to share their values with the American people, and to contribute relevant information and perspectives to natural resource management. In so doing we will:

• Ensure that future generations will have an opportunity to discover the human story etched on the landscapes of our national forests and grasslands;
• Make the past come alive as a vibrant part of our recreational experiences and community life; and
• Connect people to the land in a way that will help us better understand and manage forest ecosystems.