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October 18 - 21, 2018
Columbia, SC
US/ ICOMOS Symposium
November 13, 2018
Presidio
San Francisco, CA
November 14-17, 2018
San Francisco
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 Photo Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail
Hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) isn't just a walk in the woods -
it's an experience that embodies an environment linking the majestic Appalachian Mountains to the human landscapes of the eastern cities.
Iconic view-sheds and the precious natural resources and cultural heritage that surround the Trail all contribute to the Trail hiking experience.
The landscape surrounding the world-famous Appalachian Trail (A.T.) connects rural communities, working farms and forests, and national heritage areas and historic sites; squeezes through rapidly developing regions; and provides the foundation for world-class outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities.
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Living Landscape Observer
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Photo credit: Andrew Laurenzi courtesy of Southwest Archaeology
The Shrinking of
Bears Ears National Monument: What has been Lost
While most people know the outlines of the story, the details of what has occurred at Bears Ears National Monument may still be surprising. The Monument has been reduced by over 85 percent and news coverage does not provide a full discussion of what has been lost. At a recent program (April 13, 2018),
Bears Ears National Monument and the Future of Our National Monuments, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University, William Doelle, President and CEO of Archeology Southwest, said it this way "Personally what I see as so important about the Antiquities Act is that it allows landscape scale, protection, preservation and planning...and in Bears Ears for the first time the impetus to use the Antiquities Act to establish a monument came from tribal voices."
The creation of Bears Ears National Monument did not just set aside public land for enhanced conservation by federal agencies, it established a new management model whereby five Native American tribes with historic associations to the place were to share in the protection of this landscape for the future.
Read more here
.
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Photo courtesy of Ami Vitali
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Northern Rangelands Trust:
Building Peace and Security with Pastoral Communities
The Northern Rangelands Trust has been working in the remote arid and semi arid lands of Northern Kenya since 2004 to develop community conservancies that approach conservation and biodiversity through building sustainable communities. The Trust has taken a collaborative approach involving local leaders, government entities, and conservation organizations to collectively work with communities to create sustainable enterprise, peace, and security, while also working to establish an ecological balance between human and wildlife needs.
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US/ICOMOS - Updates and Symposium
The
International Council on Monuments and Sites,
commonly referred to as
ICOMOS, is a non-government organization dedicated to the conservation
of cultural heritage sites across the globe. Founded in 1965 and now headquartered in Paris, ICOMOS plays a critical role
advising UNESCO
on the designation and management of
World Heritage Sites
.
US/ICOMOS was the first of what now number 110 national committees that make up the larger ICOMOS alliance. It is a vital bridge linking preservation professionals in the United States with their counterparts in other countries, and also advises on inscriptions to the World Heritage List.
Learn more about recent activities and the upcoming
2018 US/ICOMOS Symposium. Read more.
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Latest News
A new study and base map
document the extent of Old Growth Forests in Europe and a surprising number of these forest are still standing. Where they occur they provide exceptionally unique ecological values and habitat for biodiversity.
The study highlights that primary forests in Europe are generally very rare, located in remote areas, and fragmented into small patches. It also notes that the European landscape is the result of millennia of human activities, so it is not surprising that only a small fraction remain.
Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary of the United Kingdom, just announced a review to consider expanding the network of protected areas to "meet our needs in the 21st century" including both improved visitor access and more protection for the natural environment.
There are currently 10 national parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in
England
, ranging from the
Lake District
to the South Downs.
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| Photo courtesy of Preservation Virginia |
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Recently listed by Preservation Virginia as one of the commonwealth's most endangered places is
Green Pastures (Longdale) Recreation Area (Clifton Forge).
The area was opened in 1940 for African Americans, who were prevented from using forest facilities during the Jim Crow era. Today service funding cuts and the relocation of the James River District office are factors that hinder attempts to stop the degradation of this landscape.
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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. |
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