Dave Turner of Fort Washington has helped change the course of Prince George’s County history, simply by working to protect it, county officials say.

Turner, 65, is credited with implementing programs to ensure historic sites in the county are preserved. His work has earned him the chairman post for the Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission, which he left in June after 10 years at the helm, and the 2012 Prince George’s Friend of History award from the Broad Creek Historic District Local Advisory Council, a Fort Washington community group, in December.

“Dave has spent the last decade championing history and trying to bring various viewpoints, groups and organizations together to present a united front on history and preservation,” said commission chairman John Peter Thompson, who took over the seat when Turner stepped down.