Historic Preservation Historic preservation, also known as heritage conservation, is the practice of preserving the physical elements of our past that illustrate the culture and history of a particular area. Buildings, artifacts, landmarks, sites, and even landscapes are all important and necessary for understanding our past and the development of our nations. Without them, the physical landscape would become impersonal and irrelevant, and our collective identity and heritage would be forgotten. Historic preservation isnt just about preserving old buildings and artifacts, its about protecting and preserving the stories of the people and cultures who built them. Its about creating a reference for future generations to draw upon for inspiration and to have a sense of place in an ever-changing world where traditions and customs are often forgotten. Historic preservation is a vital part of our cultural identity, and it encourages the appreciation, respect and celebration of the strong sense of community that comes with our shared history. The preservation of historic sites and buildings is also important economically. It provides an opportunity for economic development in areas where historic investments in buildings and infrastructure have been made. Such investments also foster an atmosphere of community pride, providing a tangible tie to shared histories that are often erased with urban sprawl and new development. Visitors drawn to historic sites and buildings create tourism dollars that provide an economic boost for the local community. Historic preservation is not only important to our cultural and economic identities, it is also essential to preserving the environment. By preserving older buildings and sites, we help to conserve resources and protect the land from over-development. In addition, by preserving the buildings of our past, we can learn how to build more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings for the future. The practice of historic preservation is often met with resistance and controversy; however, the benefits of preserving our historic sites and buildings far outweigh the costs to our historical identity and culture. In the end, historic preservation is a tool for strengthening our cultural identities, preserving our environment, and creating economic opportunity.