How to Volunteer

I get asked often, "Okay, I want to help protect Arizona's past, but how? What do you guys actually do?" Here's a great place to answer that question:
Site Visits
Site visits are exactly what it sounds like: visiting archaeological sites. They can be little PII sites on the Arizona Strip or big American territorial-era forts. We try and stay away from major sites that are within National Parks and Monuments, just because these generally receive more attention than the average archaeological site. The idea is to go to the site and check for damage from looting or vandals. This works especially well if it is a site you are familiar with and can spot change. Site visits don't mean you are spending hours wandering a site. Simply check the site for damage. Usually several sites can be visited in a day or an afternoon, depending on your location. We are working on a Site Visitation Form for AAI to use so we have some sort of standardized reporting system. This way if multiple people are visiting a site in a short period, it is not necessary for them to communicate with each other; the forms can provide useful information.
Patrols
Patrols are more involved. If you know of an vulnerable site or area, it may be especially useful to conduct occasional patrols. This can involve doing a site check for damage/looting/vandalism, but ideally a patrol involves two or more people keeping watch on or actively patrolling an area. This may include stationary surveillance, foot patrols, etc. Like with site visits, it is recommended that you carry a cell phone with Law Enforcement to call if you encounter looters. It is also recommended to take appropriate safety precautions when going on a patrol.
Volunteer Activity
 We like to volunteer time to archaeology related causes. This could be graffiti clean-up, like at Keyhole Sink (dates pending), or education at a park or forest. It is a good idea to call the land management agency to see if there is a way that you can volunteer as an AAI volunteer in their jurisdiction.