PreserveAZ Conference Theme: "Preservation, Education, Innovation"​​

 

Preservation. 2025 will mark the release of the first comprehensive preservation plan the State of Arizona has seen in almost thirty years. So much has changed over the past three decades, within Arizona as well as within the field of historic preservation. The intensifying effects of climate change has brought a sense of urgency to resiliency planning for fragile cultural resources; the increased focus on renewable energy generation on public lands has fostered a dialogue about cultural landscapes and impacts to landscape level traditional cultural properties of Arizona’s tribes; and the broader social reckoning with the legacy of structural racism has brought attention to the need for our historic registers to reflect the true diversity of our state. In 1996, Arizona preservationists were just beginning to grapple with the “aging in” of postwar neighborhoods and midcentury architecture for National Register eligibility. Now, conversation has shifted into how the abundance of midcentury commercial buildings can be repurposed to address the crisis of affordable housing in our cities. 

​

Education. The last decade or so has seen a decline in the numbers of preservation professionals entering the job force in the diverse field of historic preservation and cultural resources management. Traditional programs such as history, anthropology/archaeology, urban planning, architecture and design all offer coursework that address the materiality of our practice, but no single program among our state universities offers comprehensive training in the legal, technical and ethical aspects of preservation practice. This same issue is also found within preservation trades. Although Arizona has a thriving construction sector, owners of historic properties are hard-pressed to find specialists who understand adobe construction, wood and steel casement window repair, millwork and conservation of historic finishes. Intuitively, we know the talent and interest to engage in this work is out there, but how do we cultivate it to advance the practice of preservation in Arizona?

​

Innovation. The 2025 PreserveAZ conference intends to bring together professionals, academics, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the state of preservation education in Arizona. A special track put together by our conference partner Arizona State University will focus on the innovative work accomplished by a broad range of academic departments that holds the potential for developing comprehensive, cutting-edge preservation education here in Arizona. Preservation professionals from both the private and public sector will share examples of projects where best practices- including new technologies and methodologies- have been employed to address the evolving role of preservation in Arizona. Community leaders and government officials will provide insight into the broad range of policy issues faced by Arizona and how the next generation of preservationists can prepare to address them.

 

The PreserveAZ conference planning committee welcomes session topics that...

​

• Explore the role of educational initiatives in fostering a deeper understanding of the value of historic places, particular among school aged children.

• Discuss best practices in preserving cultural heritage through formal and informal educational programs, from K-12 outreach to university-level training and professional development.

• Highlight innovative preservation practices that balance heritage resource conservation with contemporary needs such as energy generation and transmission, broadband deployment, mining development, water conservation, affordable housing, and downtown revitalization.

• Present emerging technologies that are transforming the field of preservation, such as 3D scanning, digital modeling, augmented reality, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.

• Present innovative application of new materials and techniques can help extend the life of historic structures while minimizing integrity loss.

• Examine strategies for making preservation more inclusive and representative of diverse histories, especially those of marginalized communities.

• Present examples of experiential learning in classroom and field settings.

• Explore how digital tools and virtual experiences can expand access to historic sites and foster greater public engagement with preservation efforts.

 

Call for Sessions. The PreserveAZ planning committee eagerly anticipates the forward-looking conversations we know the theme of Preservation, Education, and Innovation will engender. And as usual, conference sessions will be book-ended by awards events for the Elisabeth A. Ruffner Keystone and Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor awards during which we will celebrate the accomplishments of our community. Breaks, receptions, and tours will also provide ample opportunities for networking. We look forward to harnessing the synergy created when the preservation community comes together into a vision of an Arizona public that is well-steeped in the values of heritage conservation and a trained preservation workforce that is ready to take on Arizona’s future challenges.