We are all stewards of the living land. The land is alive. Living things change.  Why, then, are we faced with issues of historic preservation and archaeology which attempt to freeze a living place into one static time frame? How can land owners and managers be responsible stewards of the land, while getting their projects completed on time and under budget…and getting public support? In many situations, this is now possible using the cultural landscapes model, which offers a comprehensive and flexible approach to dealing with historic and archaeological issues.

 

Reliance on legislative or legal solutions to battle out development needs is expensive in terms of time, finances, and public perception. Historic preservation is often perceived as anti-development, an obstacle to be overcome.  Many projects become bogged down in the requirements of historic and archaeological preservation laws.

 

However, there are also many opportunities to be considered, that provide both for preservation of landscapes and for economic health.