July / August 2019

Living Landscape Observer - Nature, Culture, Community
In This Issue
Nature/Culture Journey
BLM Large Landscape Work Faces Uncertainty
World Rural Landscape Principles
In the News
About Us
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Denver CO
October 10-12, 2019

Culture/Nature Journey


This year, the ICOMOS Advisory Committee, Annual General Assembly and Scientifc Symposium  will take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 14 to 18 October 2019. A one-day Scientific Symposium organized by the Advisory Committee on the theme of "Rural Heritage: Landscapes and beyond" will be held on October 17. For information on early registration click here.

In other news:

The next triennial  ICOMOS General Assembly  will take place from 1-10 October 2020, in Sydney, Australia, and will include a major focus on the Culture Nature Journey, organized collaboratively with IUCN and partners.  
So please:
 
a)    Mark the date 
b)    Think towards proposals to bring to that meeting.
c)     Think of the options to connect events and activities between IUCN WCC and the ICOMOS GA. 

REMINDER:
Tim Badman, the new Director of
Nature Culture Initiatives at IUCN,
is building  a mailing list to share information in both fields. To join the list contact:
Tim.BADMAN@iucn.org

   
Living Landscape Observer
Infographic created by the BLM detailing the scope of its management responsibilities. Source: BLM.gov

An Uncertain Future: Charting the Bureau of Land Management's Landscape Scale Work
Since the late 1990s, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has dramatically expanded its involvement in planning and conservation on a landscape scale. During the past two years, however, much of this work has been refocused, with the added complication of controversial, potential headquarters relocation. What does the future hold for landscape scale work at the BLM? Read more about the bureau's past efforts and current situation here. 
Barbarossa Valley Southern Australia

World Rural Landscapes: Principle One, Definitions and Values of Rural Landscapes
The World Rural Land­scape Principles provide systematic definitions for rural landscapes as both geographic places and as heritage resources within the larger category of cultural landscapes. This innovative approach looks at the commonality of rural landscapes within a global context and recognizes the many types of activities that are worthy of consideration for protection. Read more about the efforts to develop a definition of rural landscapes here.
 


Vatika Bay Maritime Landscape
The Vatika Bay Maritime Landscape at the southern end of the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece exemplifies the interconnection between cultural and natural resources and different approaches to their conservation. As a marine ecosystem, the bay supports numerous endangered and exotic plant and animal species. As a crossroads of both ancient and modern Mediterranean navigation, it also has many underwater archeological remains. This article highlights the differing preservation  strategies and outcomes for  these interrelated resources. Read More
Latest News and Notes

On June 25, 2019, the National Trust for Historic Preservation in partnership with Georgetown University Law Center sponsored the National Preservation Law Conference. The one-day meeting offered attendees an in-depth overview of historic and cultural preservation law, with particular attention given to recent trends in the field. 

One highlight was a presentation by Mark Squillace from the University of Colorado Law School. Squillace took a deep dive into attacks on the Antiquities Act and the status of current litigation. The speech offers a good discussion of landscapes as objects of antiquity and the role of BLM in managing recent monuments. 

Attacks on the Antiquities' Act (2019 National Preservation Law Conference)
Attacks on the Antiquities' Act (2019 National Preservation Law Conference)




The National Parks Traveler reports that w orldwide, the actual, or proposed, loss of environmental safeguards for protected places has accelerated since the arrival of the 21st century. For example,  Bears Ears and nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument,   both in Utah, represents a staggering loss to U.S. protected areas that play key roles in not just preserving biodiversity, but as recreational outlets.
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.