New Mexico's extraordinary wealth of historic buildings and districts, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes are an essential part of what makes this such a special place for residents and their out-of-state guests.

The preservation of New Mexico's historic treasures has enormous impacts on the social and economic well-being of New Mexicans. It underlies the state's vigorous heritage tourism industry and builds healthier local communities.

Without historic preservation, those buildings and sites that draw millions of tourism dollars each year would be lost. More importantly, without preservation efforts, our children would not learn about the events, people, and values which formed our communities.

Historic preservation is a community-building activity that stabilizes neighborhoods, revitalizes downtowns, creates good jobs, increases the tax base, and educates our youth.

The Historic Preservation Division's many activities include:

• Identifying and recording prehistoric and historic places, nominating them to the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Cultural Properties, and maintaining records of those places to be used for planning and research.
• Administering tax-credit, low-interest loan, easement, and grant programs to provide preservation incentives.
• Providing preservation-related technical assistance to agencies, local governments, and private owners.
• Administering preservation laws and assisting other agencies and local governments in developing preservation regulations and ordinances.
  
• Developing educational programs about New Mexico's past and about the value of preserving our heritage.