The conservation community has begun to put forward new proposals to reverse the most damaging policies of the last administration. The Restoration Project, for example, identifies harmful actions taken during the Trump presidency and then recommends strategies to address or - if possible - undo the effects. There is also the 30x30 Campaign, which seeks to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
These are both worthy initiatives that will benefit public lands and the environment writ large. In thinking about what other ideas could be advanced at this unique moment, we believe two efforts deserve a second look.
For 35 years (1982-2017), the George Wright Society organized a biennial conference that offered a place for natural and cultural resources managers to come together with academics, conservation organizations, and federal agency leadership. Now, more than ever, the field needs these types of gatherings - along with the important publications and workshops that continue to be sponsored by the George Wright Society.
The National Heritage Area model is another idea with a close to four-decade history. Despite chronic underfunding, it remains vibrant and should be reinvigorated as a model for both landscape stewardship and interpretation of U.S. history. Read more on these programs in this issue of the newsletter.
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The Living Landscape Observer is a website, blog and monthly e-newsletter that offers commentary and information on the emerging field of large landscape conservation.
National Heritage Areas (NHA) are extremely popular. Across the country, communities continue to petition their congressional delegations to designate more. But do they work? Do they deliver on their stated goals? Do they live up to their claims of leveraging impact through partnerships and network governance?
A 2013 report that summarized the evaluation of twelve of the early NHAs found very positive outcomes. To this day, these twelve evaluations are the largest body of research on how landscape scale initiatives can build partnerships and implement their stewardship missions over a big space and over time.
Read the article and the five-page summary of findings here.
Learning from The George Wright Society Conference
Over the past year, parks and other protected areas have served as sites of dialogue, research, and rejuvenation. But how do we ensure that these special places, which vary tremendously in their scale and their approaches to resource management, remain connected to one another? What mechanisms can be put in place to facilitate knowledge exchange among staff, partners, and volunteers? And how can we continue to bridge the artificial divides of science / humanities and nature / culture that (still) remain so pervasive? Learning from the conference model created by the George Wright Society represents an important start.
The first National Heritage Area was designated in 1984 and today there are 55 areas showcasing the nation’s rich cultural and natural resources. But while evaluations and lived experience demonstrate the success of the idea, official acknowledgement of NHAs as part of the National Park Service family has yet to be achieved, despite years of advocacy. The time is now right to recognize NHAs as a legislatively authorized part of the NPS by passing the National Heritage Area Act of 2021.
World Heritage Site at Risk - Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Increased oil and gas leasing in the San Juan Basin is a major threat to the Outstanding Universal Values of World Heritage Site Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This presentation features experts speaking to the adverse impacts of the proposed Bureau Land Management actions.
Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act (H.R. 803)
In February 2021, the US House of Representatives passed a massive public lands bill, which would protect millions of acres in several western states. If passed by the Senate, and we are watching, the bill would bolster the administration’s goal of conserving 30% of U.S. lands and coastal waters by 2030. Also included in the bill (section XVII) is the National Heritage Area Act of 2021 and we are watching its progress as well. See the bill text.
The Salazar Center and the Network for Landscape Conservation have released a new report report on inclusive, equitable conservation, which spotlights partnerships and initiatives from across the U.S.
This is a tactical plan for the first 100 days of executive action by the Biden administration to reset the foundation of federal engagement on issues of environment.