This conference - the first in a series - is being convened by the National Park Service to establish a dialogue on how to meet public safety needs while preserving irreplaceable historic resources. Since September 11th, security at many of our well known historic landmarks has become an important issue facing government and the private sector at all levels. But safety and security should not be used as a screen to excuse insensitivity to heritage values, poor planning, or failure to consider alternatives if they are feasible. The conference will focus on how these safety and security issues will affect the historic character of America's cities and towns, and how to make public places as secure as possible while respecting the historic character of the nation’s buildings, structures, landscapes, neighborhoods, and parks.

Plenary presentations and breakout sessions will focus on:

• Balancing public safety and heritage protection.
• Coordinating preservation and preparedness.
• Designing with sensitivity to historic resource values.
• Consultation and public participation during planning and implementation.
• Recognizing the need for access to historic symbols in uncertain times.

Participants in this conference will earn 6 hours of AIA Continuing Education units, all of which will be Health, Safety and Welfare.

We hope that you will be able to join us on January 22nd and look forward to your participation.

Katherine H. Stevenson
Associate Director for Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships
National Park Service