Historical preservation (or historic preservation) encompasses efforts to protect, conserve, and maintain buildings, structures, landscapes, and areas of historical, architectural, or cultural significance. Preservation aims to maintain heritage resources for future generations, recognizing their value for community identity, education, tourism, and quality of life. Tools include heritage designation protecting specific properties, heritage conservation districts protecting areas, heritage easements restricting alteration rights, financial incentives supporting maintenance, and public education promoting heritage appreciation. Preservation involves trade-offs: protecting existing buildings may conflict with new development, accessibility improvements, or energy efficiency upgrades. Modern preservation philosophy emphasizes adaptive reuse—finding new uses for heritage buildings—rather than freezing buildings as museums. Municipal heritage planners balance conservation goals with development pressures, property rights, and practical constraints. Provincial heritage legislation provides the framework within which municipalities implement preservation programs.