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(Phoenix, Arizona - January 8, 2013) - Arizona State Parks Director Bryan Martyn is coordinating public meetings and will travel across the state in a new program called "The Director's Historic and Archaeological Preservation Series" which will focus on Arizona's historic and cultural treasures. The Arizona State Parks department not only manages all 27 State Parks, but also the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) which has various roles in 90 communities across the State. Martyn will engage local leaders, residents, museum leaders and other preservation enthusiasts in discussions about Arizona's important historic and archaeological resources.

SHPO manages the nationally acclaimed Site Steward program that protects archaeological resources throughout Arizona. The program has more than 1,000 volunteers to oversee millions of acres of state/federal and tribal land. (Watch video: Harrison Ford http://www.AZStateparks.com/SHPO/index.html). The SHPO also reviews properties for the National Register of Historic Places, reviews actions that might affect historic properties, provides technical assistance to historic property owners and Certified Local Governments, and oversees historic matching grants.

"I am planning meetings about our important historic and archaeological resources that need to be preserved and promoted for tourism, such as the historic State Parks. But I also am interested in supporting the "Main Street Program" which is now managed by the State Historic Preservation Office. I hope to start a dialogue about how we can work together to protect resources and re-adapt or re-use historic resources and focus on how these resources provide economic benefits for the communities. My goal is to bring attention to critical historic structures and how they could be protected through adaptive re-use."

A schedule of each town visited will be posted on AZStateParks.com (Director's Series) and the public is welcome to contact him about issues in their communities as they relate to historic and cultural resources and talk with him while he is there. Follow the series on Twitter and Facebook at AZStateParks. If you would like to contact the director, email pio@azstateparks.gov. (Below are preliminary sites to visit with a final schedule posted on the website weekly.)

Historic and Archeological Preservation Series Schedule

Jan 9 - Flagstaff - Riordan Mansion State Historic Park (SHP), Main Street, Route 66 businesses, Pioneer Museum

Jan 10 - Winslow - La Posada, Main Street, Old Trails Museum, Homolovi State Park (SP)

Jan 20 - Yuma - Main Street, Yuma Territorial Prison SHP, Yuma Quartermaster Depot SHP, National Historic District

Jan 21 - Quartzsite/Parker - High Jolly Tomb, Main Street Programs

Jan 24 - Florence - McFarland SHP, Pinal County Courthouse, Main Street

Jan 28 - Camp Verde/Jerome - Fort Verde SHP, Jerome SHP, Mine Museum, Main Streets, Gold King Mine

Feb 5 - Phoenix - ASU historic buildings, David Wright House, A.E. England Bldg., Tovrea Castle, Pioneer Cemetery, Orpheum Theater

Feb 7 - Superior/Miami/Globe - Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP, Picket Post House, Besh-Ba-Gowah, Main Streets

Feb 11 - Wickenburg/Kingman - Route 66 Museum

Feb 12 - Kingman/Prescott - Hoover Dam, Sharlot Hall Museum, Courthouse Square, Arizona's First Territorial Capitol (Chino Valley)

Feb 17 - AJO/Gila Bend - Painted Rock

Feb 21 - Tucson/Tubac/Nogales - San Xavier Mission, Tubac SHP, Tumacacori, Bowman Hotel

Feb 22 - Green Valley - Ruby, Titan Missile Museum

Feb 25 - Sierra Vista/Tombstone - Fort Huachuca Black Officer's Club, Tombstone Courthouse SHP, Main Streets

Feb 26 - Bisbee, Warren, Douglas - Warren Baseball Park, Naco (Fort Naco)

Mar 1 - Tucson - Kickoff to Archaeology Month - Catalina SP

For more information about the Director's Historic and Archaeological Preservation Series or for information about all of the Arizona State Parks visit AZStateParks.com or call (602) 542-4174.

For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703). Campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. Follow AZStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.