Arizona State Parks

The Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council

Hello Students and Parents!

It is the State Historic Preservation Office’s (SHPO) sincere pleasure to begin the second year of the Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council (HPYC). Established and led by a dedicated group of high school students, the Council launched its pilot year in November 2025. The HPYC is the outgrowth of our office’s collaboration with the Preserve America Youth Summit, the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew, to give 30 middle- and high-school students an immersive experience in communities that are historically linked by their association with the “Mother Road”. The event was a success, and desiring to learn more about Arizona’s history and continue engaging in historic Preservation activities, several students collaborated on a plan for a statewide Youth Council of student leaders that work within their communities to identify and preserve the places that are important to our heritage.

The Youth Advisory Council brainstorms ideas about how to advance historic preservation from a young person's perspective.

Former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman talks to the Youth Advisory Council about the circumstances that led to the preservation of the Sandra Day O'Connor House.

Ashley Harder, Developer & Board Member of Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation and Phoenix Community Alliance, explains the importance of historic preservation to the Youth Advisory Council.

In September of 2025, the Governor’s Arizona 250 Commission unanimously voted to adopt the HPYC as an official initiative of the Commission. Following a rigorous selection process, the eight-member Council began programming in January 2026, and participated in site visits, documentation projects, field trips, and training activities to hone their skills in preservation, leadership, and community engagement. The HPYC is student-organized and student-led, and represents a unique opportunity to learn about the state’s history, engage with policy-makers, and ensure the future of the places that matter.

Kathryn Leonard, Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer

AZ State Historic Preservation Office logo The Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council logo The Arizona America250 logo

The Arizona Heritage Preservation Youth Council acts as stewards of Arizona's cultural, historical and natural legacy. The nine-member council represents the voice of Arizona's youth and will lead projects that promote preservation and inspire their peers and communities to value heritage as a cornerstone of Arizona's future.

<< Click Here to Read Our Charter >>

Who We Are

Made up of current middle school, high school studying in the State of Arizona, with a demonstrated interest in history, cultural heritage, preservation, sustainability, civic engagement, or community leadership.

Photo of the 2026 Inaugural Heritage Preservation Youth Council Members at the Sandra Day O'Connor House in Tempe, Arizona

Mission Statement

To educate future leaders on the importance of historic preservation, empower young voices to actively protect and promote historic sites across the state, and engage with government structures to provide youth-driven insights on preservation policies and initiatives.