What Does A Steward Do?

Activities and Projects...

Stewards are called upon to:

  • Promote information exchange and cooperation between government, archaeologists, and the public
  • Conduct regular site visitations to review stability and ensure they are protected
  • Assist in activities such as site surveys, mapping, and rock art recording
  • Collect, catalogue, and record oral histories regarding local historic persons, families, activities or places
  • Present information to communities and professionals about Steward activities, laws, and preservation
  • And to assist with other activities as may be necessary.

For an activity to be considered a part of the Site Steward Program, two prerequisites must be met:

  1. The project or activity you are conducting must have been previously accepted or requested by the land managers
  2. The project or activity must be performed according to the applicable laws and regulations

Unless both of the above prerequisites are met, any non-qualifying activities you are involved will not be covered by the umbrella of protection afforded by the Site Steward Program.

Time commitments can be as little or as much as you are willing to provide.  All assistance is appreciated!

A Steward's General Responsibilities...

  1. Abide by your agreement to follow the Code of Ethics of the Site Steward Program.
  2. Maintain frequent contact with the Project Director - preferably each month, or at a minimum of every quarter.
  3. Be active and participate in the program by seeking commitments commensurate with the time and other resources you can devote.
  4. E-mail or physically mail a Site Steward Activity Log to the Project Director each quarter that you have hours creditable to the Steward Program (e.g., monitoring a site, attending a workshop/conference/official training, participating in an educational activity related to archaeology or paleontology, etc.).
  5. Fill out Site Data forms on EVERY site visit.  The original is kept with a site file you will maintain, with a copy sent to the Project Director.  Copies of all forms should be sent within a week of the actual site visit.
  6. Try to serve the equivalent of at least a half-day each month.  No minimum limit of service has been established, but some level of continuing participation is required to remain on the Steward roster.
  7. The Site Steward Program does not maintain or claim an association or affiliation with any other organization, political or tribal party, club, or movement; nor does it support or align itself with any programs or causes not supporting the Program's Statement of Purpose.
  8. Site Stewards should not function or create the impression of having the authority to serve in a law enforcement capacity while performing any Site Steward activity.
  9. Stewards may be asked to assist the Project Director by introducing new Stewards to sites (when convenient for the Steward to do so).
  10. If, for any reason, a Steward wishes to terminate a commitment to monitor an assigned site(s),  all related materials (site folders, I.D. cards, etc.) must be returned to the Land Manager or Project Director.