January 2015
Living Landscape Observer - Nature, Culture, Community
In This Issue
Featured Landscape: Tarryall Historic Rural Landscape District
Coal Seam Gas and Public Lands
Adirondack Park as National Heritage
New Era in Heritage Promotion
Explore World Heritage Sites
In the News
About Us
Join Our Mailing List
in Washington, DC
 
 
March 29 - April 3, 2015
George Wright Conference  Engagement, Expectations and Experience
in Oakland, CA 

May 13 - 15, 2015 
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA

Tarryall Historic Rural Landscape District
Historic homestead site in the Tarryall Valley. Credit: Linda Balough
Near the center of Colorado, in elevations ranging from just under 8,000 to just over 9,000 feet above sea level, the Tarryall Historic Rural Landscape District extends some 40 miles.  Encompassing both open rangeland and verdant river valleys, the district is home to rich historic and natural resources, including Lost Creek Wilderness, a national natural landmark.   

  

  
Living Landscape Observer
Coal Seam Gas and Public Lands
In eastern Australia where coal seam gas [CSG] has become a new industry in the last 10 years, the land is the battleground: grazing country, cropping country, state forest, water catchment areas, rural residential blocks and even urban areas. Through development approvals, gas miners have the rights to underground mineral resources, all government- owned in this country, and prevail over the rights of landowners on the surface. Learn more in this extensive examination of the tensions that arise when energy extraction collides with public lands and resources. 
Adirondack Park as National Heritage 
Now that New York state has five National Heritage Areas - including the Hudson River Valley, the Erie Canal, and Niagara Falls - is it time for Congress to designate the Adirondack Park a National Heritage Area, too? Read more. 
New Era in Heritage Promotion 
A recent glossy article in the Atlantic On-line features a story on the New Era for Appalachian Hospitality promoting the historic Stone House Inn in Southwest Pennsylvania and, by the way, the benefits that the region's natural gas industry offers to such local establishments. A nice article and a boost to a local heritage asset, but what is the meaning of the banner saying that this is "sponsor content" with a Chevron logo in the left hand corner of the opening page? Well, sponsored content may be a new direction and a debatable arena for journalism. 

However, this is not unchartered territory when it comes to heritage development. Tourism promotion has always walked a fine line between content stories and advertising, and historic sites and parks have long had associations with private companies, dating back, for example, to the railroads and national parks in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There is a lot to think about here and expect more on this topic in the future. Or, if you would like to add your thoughts, contact us to be a guest observer!
Explore World Heritage Sites in the US
Learn more about the World Heritage program in the United States. The National Park Service has just released a new travel itinerary featuring all the U.S. World Heritage Sites so start planning your next vacation and for younger visitors there is the World Heritage Junior Ranger program. 
In the News

 

UNESCO releases new publication "Engaging Local Communities in Stewardship of World Heritage," which draws on experiences of the Community Management of Protected Areas for Conservation (COMPACT) initiative at eight natural World Heritage Sites in countries of Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, and on emerging experience at two new sites. Learn more and download. 

 

Members of Congress have recently introduced amendments and bills to limit the powers available to the President to designate new National Monuments under the Antiquities Act. 

  

Potential for new oil drilling in U.S. waters off the Atlantic coast grows as Obama Administration floats a possible plan. 

 

New partnership in UK calls for "landscapes for everyone," and aims to raise profile of social and environmental benefits of landscape conservation.

 

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.