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September  2019

Living Landscape Observer - Nature, Culture, Community
In This Issue
Nature/Culture Journey First Nature- Culture Dialogue
Landscape Management: More than just Words
World Rural Landscape Principles
In the News
About Us
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Denver CO
October 10-12, 2019

Culture/Nature Journey

Nature-Culture Dialogues
 
The Nature-Culture Journeys 
Where have we been, where are we going? 

Introductory session with Steve Brown
  
In this 'first-cab-off-the-rank' talk, Steve Brown provided a brief background to the Nature-Culture/Culture-Nature Journeys (NCJ); he outlined the proposed sessions at the ICOMOS 2019 Scientific Symposium (Marrakesh; October 17, 2019); summarized
some of the proposals submitted for the IUCN World Conservation Congress (Marseilles; June 2019); and provided information on the Culture-Nature Journey Theme at the ICOMOS 20th Scientific Symposium (Sydney; 5-9 October 2019). 

Steve argued that the latter Symposium will be a significant milestone in reflecting on the NCJ's achievements and outcomes to date - and for setting future directions. 
 
We started out the 'talk and discuss' meetings of the ISCCL Working Group on nature/cultures. Steve talked for 20min after which we had an informal discussion.

Thanks to those joining in on what we found to be a productive discussion and certainly got our minds thinking about some of the points discussed. After these meetings we had a one-week (or so) email chain of short emails concerning the discussion between those who attended the meeting, making up the summary that is included in this email. A recording of this talk will also be circulated with this summary to those who were not able to attend this talk.

   
Living Landscape Observer



Landscape Management: More than Just Words

Working on a landscape scale has numerous benefits. For example, it can aide in planning for climate change resilience, wild life corridor management, and cultural connectivity. However, one recent effort to facilitate landscape scale conservation has raised more questions than it answers. In 2018, former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that the Department of the Interior (DOI) would now be managed as 12 Unified Regions, superceding the existing approaches used by each individual bureau within the agency. The stated goal of the change? To make  DOI run more effectively and efficiently. 
 
Abandoned Farmhouse South Australia

World Rural Landscapes:  T hreats, Challenges, Benefits, and Sustainability

The Principles Concerning Rural Landscapes as Heritage  develop themes relating to threats, challenges, benefits, and sustainability for rural landscapes from a cultural heritage point of view for today's society.  These challenges have been examined by scholars, scientific and cultural associations and public administrations, both at an international and local levels and you will probably recognize some of these issues. R ead more about the threats, challenges, benefits and sustainability to rural landscapes here.
 

 Luna Farms in Decorah, Iowa 

 Rural Renaissance and Endurance:
Painting a picture of hope in the Heartland  

This article highlights rural renewal and continuity in the center of the United States. It is based on a talk given by a young farmer who, along with with her husband, manages an organic farm in Decorah Iowa. The couple describe their work "as growing organic crops, grazing sheep and cattle on pasture, powering their farm and home with the sun, and growing deep roots in our community." 
Latest News and Notes

The Cultural Landscape at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
The Cultural Landscape at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park

This new video by the National Park Service Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation celebrates Harriet Tubman  through a visit to the Maryland landscape of her youth and invites you to learn more about Tubman's remarkable legacy. 

Salazar Center for North American Conservation to Offer $100,000 Prize to Promote Meaningful Change
A  $100,000 incentive prize is being offered by the center at Colorado State University to nonprofits and other conservation-centric groups throughout North America to come up with the best ideas for creating meaningful change.  Learn more at connectivitychallenge.org 

Debate Continues Over Proposed Route of Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Will a natural gas pipeline cross the Appalachian Trail on federal land managed by the United States Forest Service? Former National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis makes the case as to why this should not happen.
 
Major Report by the United Nations Warns of Dangers Posed by Climate Change to the World's Oceans
Oceans have warmed, ice sheets are crumbling, and fisheries have declined - all with devastating consequences. 
 
About Us

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. This approach emphasizes the preservation of a "sense of place" and blends ingredients of land conservation, heritage preservation, and sustainable community development. Learn more about how you can get involved or sign up for the newsletter here.  

Our Mission: To provide observations and information on the emerging fields of landscape scale conservation, heritage preservation and sustainable community development.