Mediterranean Alliance for Wetlands’ Post

NatureCultures Working Group – ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes – UNESCO It is a pleasure to contribute as a co-convenor of the NatureCultures Working Group—ICOMOS-IFLA ISCCL—UNESCO. The group discussions are focused on the deep understanding of the Cultural Landscape Heritage from an indissociable NatureCultures relationship. For such, the consideration of First Nations worldviews globally alongside diverse viewpoints that privilege such an approach is fundamental and very often overlooked. We believe that those perspectives are essential to creating practical guidelines for protecting, regenerating, and assimilating natural and cultural heritage in the global south and north changing landscapes. Key focus topics include climate emergencies, heritage management, energy transition, water management, biodiversity restoration and conservation, SDGs, and conflict and natural disasters. Thanks to Ana Inés Bajcura for the trust. The ICOMOS Commentary on Nature-Culture Keywords, an outcome of a joint project between IUCN and ICOMOS, might be of interest. It focuses on the terms ‘biocultural’, ‘resilience’, and ‘traditional knowledge’ in relation to the interconnection of cultural and natural heritage conservation as a resource for practitioners and researchers. https://lnkd.in/eXAsQsue International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) ICOMOS GA2023 IFLA IFLA ARC Training Centre for Healing Country Curtin Institute for Energy Transition #naturecultures #sustainability #firstnations #biocultural #heritage #climatechange #watermanagement #biodiversityconservation #SDG

Artecology. Why. How. What. - Why: We believe in transforming urban spaces into thriving ecosystems where nature and communities coexist harmoniously, merging the science of ecology with the creativity of arts and crafts. How: By understanding the state of local wildlife, engaging local communities, and implementing innovative Nature Inclusive Design solutions. What: We make functioning wildlife habitats, and offer hands-on workshops to inspire the development of regenerative urban spaces. www.artecology.space

"Our cultural practices are tied to our traditional Country and protecting this means that our traditions, stories, and connection to the land can remain strong for future generations."—Kuuku Ya'u Elder, Gregory Pascoe. Yesterday the Australian and Queensland governments, alongside a number of Traditional Owners from the region, announced some areas of Cape York Peninsula have been submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Cape York Peninsula is home to extremely rich, complex cultural landscapes which have been vital to and sustained by Traditional Owners for tens of thousands of years. Cape York is also a biodiversity hotspot being home to 18.5% of Australian plant species, despite only being 3% of the continental landmass. The Cape also provides habitat for over 300 threatened species including the green sawfish, Cape York rock wallaby, and southern cassowary. The submission for tentative listing is a first but welcome step towards recognising the globally significant cultural and natural heritage of the Cape, and its universal importance for future generations and the environment. Read more👇 https://lnkd.in/gEhtsDGn #Capeyork #UNESCO #WorldHeritage #biodiversity #queensland

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed under a holistic concept that integrates protection, education and sustainable development. Tourism industry promotion in geoparks focus on highlighting the geographical character of a place. These geoparks adopt a bottom-up approach, combining conservation efforts with sustainable development, informal education and the active involvement of local communities. On September 8-9, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council proposed 15 new geoparks for endorsement. Should UNESCO’s Executive Board endorse this decision when it meets next year, this would expand the network to 228 sites around the world. #unesco #global #geoparks #nomination #travelandtourism Lazare Eloundou Guy Debonnet Peter DeBrine Johanna Devine Tim Badman Peter Shadie Mizuki Murai Mike Wong Thiago Beraldo Anna Spenceley David Schimpky Eleanor (Ellie) Haine Zoe Compton Jennifer Dingman, PhD Kate Potter Sarah Gamble Rob Rainbird Jonathan Karkut, PhD Maziar A. Satoko Hara

Some articles you read … some articles you edit …. Some articles make you think what way are we heading ..what are we taking along and what are we leaving behind!!!!! Grab a copy and do read !

Have you ever wondered how many cultural and natural landmarks are deemed so crucial that they need to be preserved for future generations? The UNESCO World Heritage List includes over 1,100 sites around the globe. These are places of outstanding universal value to humanity, ranging from ancient ruins and architectural masterpieces to nature reserves and biospheres.

My paper entitled "Urban Scale Digital Twins, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience: Sustainability, Ecology and Ekistics in Constantinos A. Doxiadis and Adriano Olivetti’s Approaches to Urban Planning" has been selected to be presented at the 6th International Conference on "Changing Cities" Spatial, Design, Landscape, Heritage and Socio-Economic dimensions in Rhodes Island, Greece. Here you can have a look at its abstract: https://lnkd.in/deY2si73

Meet Pseudophilautus zorro, a fascinating amphibian species native to the humid forests of Sri Lanka. This genus is known for its remarkable direct development, where tadpole stages unfold within the egg. Initially discovered nestled within the central hills of Sri Lanka, Pseudophilautus zorro was believed to be confined to this region. However, ongoing field observations are rewriting the narrative of its habitat range. 🌍 This photograph was captured in the heart of an isolated hill in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. This could be a new distribution record for the species. The landscape hints at the possibility of a broader range for this enigmatic frog. But what truly sets this apart is the striking color morph showcased in the image. Unlike its more commonly observed counterparts in cream, brownish, and beige hues, this individual flaunts a vibrant green palette. 🎨💚 This uncommon coloration adds a layer of intrigue to our understanding of Pseudophilautus zorro's population dynamics and ecological niche. Could this green morph signify adaptations to specific microhabitats or environmental pressures? The questions abound, fueling our quest for deeper insights into Sri Lanka's rich biodiversity. 🌿🔬 As we continue to unravel the mysteries of this fascinating species, let us celebrate the wonders of nature and the thrill of exploration. Conservation efforts are needed to safeguard these precious treasures for generations to come. 🌟🌱 #AmphibianConservation #SriLankanBiodiversity #NatureExploration

I am thrilled to share the video of the installation KRAK with you. How can the degradation of man-made landscapes of the Netherlands be understood in a larger system-changing movement toward (bio)diversity and sprawl? KRAK; an audio tour and installation, centers around the Dark Honey Fungus in the forest on Terschelling. Is it an assassin or a cleaner? Together with the audience, plantation thinking and the lessons of neglected relationships were explored during the Oerol Festival. If you want to learn more about KRAK —part of the multi-year research project StagingWood— and the exchanges taking place within the coalition, read Shivant Jhagroe's essay "Looking at trees from growth and decay" (in Dutch) in De Groene Amsterdammer. The essay asks how we decolonize "nature" in the Netherlands. https://lnkd.in/e2vbCZNs Stay tuned for more! Flora Reznik Joanna V. Anne Jesuina Tobias de Andrade Chihiro Geuzebroek Island Woods Oerol Festival Marin de Boer Remi Hougee Staatsbosbeheer Jori Wolf The DOEN Foundation VriendenLoterij Fonds Amarte Fonds Island Woods #ecology #forest #plantation #monocultures #art #installation #storytelling

Immersing myself in the world of heritage conservation has been a hands-on journey—quite literally! As a design researcher, I’ve always believed that walking in the shoes of the user is essential to truly understanding behaviours, motivators, and opportunities for meaningful design. Sometimes, that means getting your hands dirty—like the morning I spent helping to herd longhorn cattle as part of a rewilding initiative in West Dorset. While I’m not planning a career in farming, experiences like this are helping me learn firsthand about the complexities of rewilding and its connections to heritage conservation. It’s an ongoing process, and every step deepens my understanding of how these initiatives shape and steward our landscapes. For me, heritage conservation is about more than preserving history—it’s about creating a future that honours our past and enriches our ecosystems. Gaining this understanding through direct involvement is shaping how I think about opportunities to design solutions that meet real needs, grounded in the lived experiences of those on the ground. If you’re working on projects in heritage conservation and are open to collaboration, I’d love to hear from you. I’m eager to keep learning, contributing, and exploring how thoughtful research and design can help preserve our shared history and environment. These beautiful animals are part of the rewilding initiative at Mapperton in West Dorset. Check out Mapperton.com to find out more. #HeritageConservation #Rewilding #Sustainability #DesignResearch #NaturePreservation #Biodiversity #UserExperience #EcologicalRestoration #VolunteeringMatters #HandsOnExperience