BLM hosts Archaeology/Heritage month events

Phoenix, Ariz. - To celebrate Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM) and the yearlong Arizona Centennial commemoration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host several tours and events throughout March.

March 5 Driving and Walking Tour: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps
Tour begins at Safford Field Office, 711 14th Avenue in Safford
Contact the BLM Safford Field Office at 928-348-4466 for more information.

March 5 Petroglyph Hike: The Badger Springs Petroglyph Site
Agua Fria National Monument north of Phoenix
Contact the Monument at 623-580-5500 for more information.

March 5 & 19 Hikes: Rock Art Site Tours
Tour meets at the Kingman Field Office, 2755 Mission Road in Kingman
Contact the BLM Kingman Field Office at 928-718-3700 for more information.

March 19 Historic Hike: Tesky Homesite
Tour meets at Cordes Lake Park north of Phoenix
Contact the Agua Fria National Monument at 623-580-5500 for more information.

March 19 Tour: Historic Empire Ranch
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita
Contact the BLM Tucson Field Office at 520-258-7200 for more information.

Every Tuesday Guided Tours: Historic Swansea Mining Townsite
in March Swansea, south of Parker
Contact the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office at 928-505-1200 for more information.

All of these tours are free, but some have a limited capacity and may require advance registration. Details of AAHAM events are online at http://www.pr.state.az.us/find/arch_calendar.html.

From 10,000-year-old archaeological sites to 100-year-old ghost towns, Arizona’s public lands offer visitors a glimpse into Arizona’s intriguing past. BLM Arizona manages some of Arizona's best-preserved prehistoric and historic sites, which include historic ranches and schoolhouses, Ice Age mammoth kill sites, prehistoric villages and pueblos, remnants of a Spanish military fort, two National Historic Trails, and numerous rock art sites.

“These tours are a perfect way for the BLM to kick off Arizona’s Centennial celebration,” said Arizona State Director Jim Kenna. “The Centennial, as well as the Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month, give us a great opportunity to showcase the cultural treasures that the BLM is protecting for future generations to see and enjoy.”

Heritage Stewardship is one of BLM’s four main focus areas in what are called the Arizona Strategies. Conservation and protection of heritage resources, community stewardship, youth education and involvement, and tribal communications are key components of the plan.

“We are protecting and preserving these cultural resources so that everyone that visits them can learn something about Arizona’s past,” added Kenna. “I encourage families to explore Arizona’s public lands and America’s Great Outdoors by participating in one of our upcoming events.”

The BLM manages more land - 245 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.