May 2015

Living Landscape Observer - Nature, Culture, Community
In This Issue
Featured Landscape: Uluru-Kata Tjuta
NY State and Heritage Innovation
Social Values and Landscape
Economic Change and Park Policy
Twitter Tips
Biosphere Reserves in the US
In the News
About Us
Join Our Mailing List
May 28-31, 2015
 Albany, NY

November 2 - 5, 2015  
 Past Forward
Washington, DC


Uluru-Kata Tjuta
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, an international biosphere reserve and world heritage site, is home to some of Australia's most iconic landscapes. 

Over the past 30 years, its management policies, have changed significantly, especially in regards to the prioritization of Indigenous approaches, priorities and values towards land stewardship and "caring for country." 

  

  
Living Landscape Observer
NY State Parks: Funding Heritage Innovation
Urban cultural parks and heritage areas have a history that now dates back almost four decades, yet they often still struggle to receive adequate and predictable resources at the local, state and federal levels. Why do programs so often touted as the future of conservation and preservation receive so little support from agencies and public officials charged with managing their funding? Read more on the situation in New York and a brief update from Pennsylvania. 
Social Values in Landscape Stewardship
"Social value" is not a term that national park organizations in the United States, Canada and New Zealand have tended to use with much frequency, reserving it almost exclusively for discussions of the distant past, rather than for more recent and contemporary place attachments and community networks. How can social values or the "values of people" be better incorporated into national park management policies, such that agencies move beyond lip service and actually include various publics in meaninful decision-making processes. Read more.
Economic Change and Park Policy
Political economy has long shaped park policy in the United States. Beginning in the late 19th century when the booming railroad business drove the designation of new National Parks to more recent shifts towards privately-funded public spaces, protected areas have always reflected the dominant economic ethos of an era. What can we learn about post World War II park-making by looking at the changing role of the state and the increasing mobility of capital during that time period? Read more. 
Twitter Tips from @landscapeobserv
Do you enjoy following @landscapeobserv, the Twitter feed for the Living Landscape Observer? If so, check out this great set of ideas to consider when managing your social media accounts. Read more. 
Second Chance for Biosphere Reserves in U.S.
Biosphere reserves serve as special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. However, for many years now the biosphere reserve program in the US has been dormant. Learn about new efforts to re-invigorate the initiative. Read more.
In the News    

Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership Seeks New President / CEO

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising national and international awareness of the history in the 180-mile long and 75-mile wide region stretching from Gettysburg, through Harpers Ferry and Maryland, to Monticello in Albemarle County, VA. Learn more.

 

Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Seeks New Director

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is seeking a Director for the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. See job details here.

 

Pennsylvania State Heritage Areas Launch New Newsletter

Sign up here to view and receive the e-news and to learn more about the program.

 

LWCF Update

Ranking Member Grijalva, Rep. Fitzpatrick Introduce Bill to Permanently Establish Land and Water Conservation Fund, Prevent Sept. Expiration. Read more. 
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.