American Cultural Resources Association

CRM practitioners are experts in many aspects of cultural heritage. They are also on the front line of cultural resource compliance and stewardship. Transferring this expertise into the legal system as an expert witness is rewarding and lucrative while opening a new service line not tied to NHPA ...

Congratulations! You’ve spent lots of time and energy growing your business, and now you’re hiring more people. Having more employees results in new requirements and demands on your time and energy as well as unexpected challenges you are not trained to manage. This webinar, relevant to any size ...

Have you ever wondered how project managers come up with a budget when bidding on cultural resource management work? This 1.5 hour long course is designed to help you understand the thought process behind the numbers. It will guide you toward best practices in bidding and will alert you to commo...

Many CRM professionals wholeheartedly embrace the research and preservation aspects of their jobs, but ignore, avoid, or fail to recognize the importance of winning work. As these employees advance, there is often the expectation that they write successful proposals.

Every office of every compan...

This popular webinar focuses on helping cultural resource and planning professionals understand the required processes, as outlined in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and administered by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, for federally funded projects to identify...

Policymakers in Washington are working to undermine the Section 106 process in the name of efficient project delivery. We need your voice to advocate for the CRM industry, educate policymakers about the value of our work, and provide expertise on how to make permitting more efficient without sacr...

Despite how often meetings are criticized as dull, boring, or pointless, there is no better way to positively affect an organization than by changing how it conducts meetings. In fact, observing how senior leaders conduct their meetings will tell you more about the health of an organization than ...

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) both require federal agencies to provide the public with information regarding the impacts of their projects on environmental and cultural resources and then engage the public regarding the minimization...

CRM firms have all adapted differently to the current pandemic. Some have focused on data processing and report writing from the office. Other firms have maintained strong field operations with new safety measures. All firms have had to follow changes to federal laws that may impact required empl...

Modern consulting practices require operating with safety as the cornerstone of company culture. This not only maintains a healthy, vibrant workforce but it also has a positive impact on business development efforts. Clients and prime contractors increasingly expect a demonstrated high-level of h...

When the Section 106 process results in adverse effects to historic properties, federal agencies often use mitigation measures to preserve data for the public benefit. Common mitigation measures include “well-established, standard approaches such as archaeological data recovery (excavation) for a...

Over the past decade, archaeology fieldwork, lab processing, and analysis has changed dramatically, driven primarily by developments in technology, computing, and the internet. Online digital repositories are one tool that can help in the integration and successful analysis of data in this changi...

The vast majority of writing in cultural resources management is for non-archaeological audiences: the public, our clients, the proponents, lawyers, and construction managers, to name just a few. Yet the writing guidelines traditionally used in modern CRM adhere to centuries-old writing style tha...

Technical and narrative mapmaking is a primeval desire of humankind—to imagine, document, and celebrate our place in the cosmos and there are rich examples spanning the centuries before it was possible to actually leave the ground to observe our habitat. Once we did achieve the ability to go alof...

Cultural resource management (CRM) frequently involves the evaluation of resources for their eligibility to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). CRM practitioners know there are four main eligibility criteria, and each CRM specialist tends to focus on one or another of th...

Marketing has moved online, and digital marketing includes far more than posts on social media. Few CRM firms, though, take full advantage of the effectiveness, targeting, and cost savings that digital marketing (DM) provides over more traditional methods.

This presentation provides an overview ...

Based in Miami, Florida, Beta Analytic’s laboratory has been providing radiocarbon dates since 1979. This presentation will give an introduction to radiocarbon dating with a focus on what radiocarbon dating is and how it can be used. This includes a discussion on radiocarbon production in the atm...

Section 110(k) of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) prohibits a federal agency from granting a loan, loan guarantee, permit, license, or other assistance to an applicant who, with intent to avoid the requirements of Section 106, intentionally significantly adversely affected a histori...

Preservation and the CRM industry should be finding ways to address inherent bias against historically underrepresented communities, especially as it relates to identifying and evaluating properties in the built environment and historical archaeological resources.

Frequently used research and ou...

Last year we presented a webinar on technical writing for CRM, and now the expert presenter is back for the next installment: technical editing!

All CRM practitioners practice technical editing in the course of our daily jobs, and our deliverables count on clean, quick, accurate editing. Yet, we...

In a world of viral tweets and social media influencers, the past is getting swept under the rug. The work of cultural resource management (CRM) firms is often relegated to gray literature, a checked box before breaking ground. Nevertheless, our efforts reveal powerful human stories with the powe...

Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to submit Section 106 documentation for these purposes using e106, as it expedites a critical step in Section 106 review and encourages complete and accurate submissions. Join us as experts from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation discuss documen...

Miami-based Beta Analytic is an ISO 17025-accredited radiocarbon dating and stable isotope laboratory. Subsidiary Isobar Science provides uranium-thorium dating, strontium analysis and geochemical fingerprinting services, among others. The company specializes in isotope ratios using wet chemistry...

CRM practitioners, from the largest firms to the one-person shops, all must adhere to regulations when working on government contracts, all issued by various agencies. This includes following the requirements laid out for paying employees as required by the Department of Labor.

The McNamara-O’Ha...

Large-scale federal projects and their effects to historic landscapes are challenging Section 106 participants to look beyond tried-and-true mitigation approaches. Consider ways to develop innovative ideas for resolving adverse effects in the consultation process during this webinar with Program ...

Sexual harassment has been increasingly recognized as an ongoing issue in archaeology that results in harmful field practices and decreased participation of women, particularly in leadership positions, in the field. This seminar will teach participants how to identify and mitigate sexual harassme...

As infrastructure improvements increase and the CRM industry continues to grow, we as cultural resource practitioners need to be more willing to consider alternative options as a way to approach resources requiring a mitigation-level effort. With increased interest in exploring this avenue in the...

When a federal agency finds that an undertaking may adversely affect a historic property, it must consider measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate such adverse effects, document the resolution of the Section 106 consultation in a formal, legal agreement, and implement the measures in the agreem...

We have seen dogs used by law enforcement for over a century because of their keen sense of smell. They are seen in airports sniffing the air currents for the odor of explosive odors or checking ports of entry for insects and other animals. And, we might have even been approached or heard about a...

CRM professionals have ethical, legal, and contractual obligations to curate the materials recovered during investigations. Curation of artifacts and project records at a qualified museum or repository ensures the long-term preservation of these materials and makes them accessible for research an...

It’s not all about the prime contract! Subcontracts are an essential component of federal government contracting. But what goes into a subcontract matters. This session will walk through best practices and considerations in subcontracting.

Learning Objectives:

considerations in negotiating a su...

Many historic preservation programs train young professionals to prepare high quality descriptions of exteriors but can fall short on teaching the preparation of historic interiors. ACRA’s next webinar aims to provide a knowledge base on this important skill!

This presentation provides an organi...

The Section 106 review process can be tailored to specific situations using a variety of Program Alternatives. Join ACRA and ACHP staff to learn more about the Program Alternatives defined in the Section 106 implementing regulations and explore the goals and benefits of current nationwide example...

Many CRM employees start out with a college education but not a lot of practical experience in the industry. They need to “learn while they earn” through the types of work opportunities they take. But that earned experience takes time. As such, newer employees may not know how their work fits int...

What is the state of the market for the CRM industry today? Where has it been and, most importantly, where is it going? How are you going to know where to find the most rewarding opportunities and contracts if you don’t know where the market is?

This presentation will give attendees the most up...

The isotopic study of various bones and teeth can tell a story of an individual’s experiences, pinpointing events to specific periods within their lifetime. Certain bones can provide information on date and location of birth and death, as well as migration and dietary preferences through life. Wh...

In this webinar, the ACHP will introduce their Frequently Asked Questions on this topic and help participants to identify opportunities to effectively coordinate CERCLA and Section 106 requirements, demonstrate the benefits of Section 106 integration in successful CERCLA hazard remediation, and p...

Our one-hour seminar is designed to provide you with a framework for exploring various job opportunities and career paths available to you.

The goals of this webinar are to:

MBTI Type: Pre-work for this seminar. Gain valuable insights into your personality type and discover how it relates to sp...

Are you ready to step into your next job interview with better confidence and a sense of control? Join us for a seminar to learn some helpful interviewing tips.

The goals of this webinar are to:

Using Personal Insights through the MBTI: Discover your unique strengths and communication style, al...

This empowering seminar will equip you with the essential self-care tools to thrive in your professional journey! Our seminar is specifically designed to help you understand and manage your very own 'self-care dashboard'—the key to unlocking peak performance and fulfillment in your career.

The g...

The Section 106 review process is critical to informing federal infrastructure planning and decision-making. Because they’re a reflection of us as people, cultural resources’ attributes, qualities, and importance aren’t always cut and dried. Key findings within the Section 106 review process, inc...

Cybersecurity is a major issue that small businesses are facing and can be very overwhelming. Join us to discover options and a better understanding of security controls and safeguards that CRM businesses can implement to ensure their level of cybersecurity. Focused on on small businesses and non...

Many CRM professionals want to conduct further analysis of recovered material from projects, but are unclear where to locate experts/techniques, how to justify such research, and the processes for analysis and providing results. This webinar addresses those topics and provides greater knowledge a...

Archaeological artifacts – items made and used by humans – hold important information about the dynamics of past civilizations. The isotopic analysis of such artifacts can provide rich information about the origin of raw materials used to make items, trade histories and even uncover details on ho...

Archaeologists are in need of better strategies for managing assemblages of corroded metal artifacts, especially nails. There is an affordable middle ground between storing artifacts that will never be properly identified or conserved and discarding without proper documentation and identification...

The views of the public are essential to informed federal decision making in the Section 106 process. The level and type of public involvement in a case will vary depending upon specific factors and should be integrated with other environmental review processes like NEPA. We will review the requi...

The first session of ACRA's mentoring program series focuses on establishing a successful mentoring program for your organization and/or improving existing programs you may have in place.

The goals of this webinar are to:

Facilitate a collaborative discussion on how to design a mentoring progra...

Join us for the second of a two part series on effective mentoring programs. This session will focus on being an effective mentor.

The goals of this webinar are to:

Introduce mentoring as an effective tool for professional growth.

Equip participants with tools and strategies to be effective me...

“Hey, what can you tell me about this building?” is often a conversation opener when someone finds out you’re an architectural historian. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, it’s a building or an area you already know a lot about. Other times, however, and especially if you’re documenting a building as p...

The Area of Potential Effects (APE) is the foundation of a federal agency’s efforts to identify historic properties in Section 106 review. At the same time, this foundational component can be a real challenge to understand and work with. Learn how APEs vary based on the nature of an undertaking, ...

The interactions between a CRM business and its clients aren’t just one-time transactions; they are ongoing relationships that must be established, cultivated, and maintained. CRM firms and departments tend to place far more emphasis on client acquisition rather than client retention — but over t...

Photogrammetry and laser scanning have been present in the field of cultural resource management (CRM) for decades and are leveraged more each year. However, many CRM professionals view photogrammetry and laser scanning as primarily mitigation and, worse yet, just “fancy add-ons.” Such perspectiv...

Cultural Asset Mapping is an emerging practice that identifies and visualizes a community’s cultural assets—historic and intangible—through tools ranging from physical trails and signage to digital platforms like StoryMaps, UAV (drones), and immersive 3D point cloud data. While more developed in ...

A Programmatic Agreement (PA) can be a powerful tool for agencies and consulting parties to tailor the Section 106 review process for federal property management, complex projects, and statewide assistance programs. But how can one decide if a PA is right for their project or program? What are th...

What does 2026 have in store for CRM on Capitol Hill? What moves are federal agencies making that impact preservation?

This webinar will explore the current legislative and regulatory environment, the outlook for the elections, and how ACRA is speaking up for the industry.

You will also learn h...

Boosting firm value isn’t just a goal for CRM firms — it’s pivotal for long-term financial strength and resilience. During up-cycles, many options are available for firms to achieve value growth. This presentation discusses firm financial value, how it is defined, and how it is achieved. It prese...

When professionals in CRM-related fields are asked what they know about fire insurance records, their response is most often: “Oh yeah! Sanborn maps...” Don't race out of the station with your sirens blaring just yet! Did you know that Sanborn maps are just the beginning? There is a world of fire...

This webinar is designed to equip CRM professionals with practical tools to meaningfully work in landscapes shaped by erasure, historical trauma, and community-led reclamation efforts.

Drawing from applied case studies in African Diaspora archaeology and Restorative Justice archaeology practice,...

In the CRM world, it can be difficult to know when you’ve done enough to find and assess historic properties. It would be nice to receive an automatic email that says, “You’ve found them all,” wouldn’t it? While we don’t have that (yet), there are a lot of resources that can help you make those d...

A great deal of archaeological data is inaccessible to the public; similarly, a vast majority of Americans own smartphones and use social media. While it is best that more sensitive data from archaeological projects remains protected, data that is appropriate to share publicly can help foster an ...