Author Archive

A Victory for Nine Mile Canyon’s Rock Art

Posted on: January 23rd, 2009 by Jason Clement

 

Art should be revered, which is why we all know the unspoken rules when it comes to museums.

No loud talking because you should be thinking. Don't get too close because you'll probably get beeped at. No refreshments because Dali wouldn't approve of slurping. And of course, keep your hands to yourself because, well, you know how it goes: you break it, you...

But what about those masterpieces that are found in our nation's backyard rather than in its National Gallery? How do we protect relics from the past that - rather than gum chewing and flash photography - face growing threats from industrial development and the dust-stirring truck traffic that it creates?

Pictured above, Utah's Nine Mile Canyon and the region surrounding it contains the nation's greatest density of ancient rock art, with tens of thousands of prehistoric images already documented and many more yet to be discovered. Unfortunately, due to ongoing oil and gas lease sales, the fate of these irreplaceable cultural resources was largely uncertain in the final months of 2008.

However, with the new year has come a new victory for what is also known as the world's longest art gallery.

On January 17, 2009, Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of the U.S. District Court granted a temporary restraining order that prevents the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from moving forward with leases on more than 110,000 acres of federal land in Utah, including land near Nine Mile Canyon. The decision comes as a result of a lawsuit filed in December 2008 by a coalition of conservation and preservation organizations, which includes the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Wilderness Society, and Earthjustice.

In the ruling, Judge Urbina found that the conservation groups "have shown a likelihood of success on the merits" and that the "'development of domestic energy resources' … is far outweighed by the public interest in avoiding irreparable damage to public lands and the environment." The merits of the case will be heard later in 2009. Until that time, BLM is prohibited from cashing the checks issued for the contested acres of Utah.

As is often the case in preservation, protecting Nine Mile Canyon is an ongoing project. We invite you to stay tuned over the coming months as we continue to be a watchful eye and a strong voice for the region's prehistoric masterpieces. And in the mean time, check out our previous blog posts on Nine Mile Canyon to read more about this story as it developed, and visit PreservationNation for additional resources and information.

Jason Clement

Jason Clement

Jason Lloyd Clement is the associate director for strategic campaigns at the National Trust, which is really just a fancy way of saying he’s a professional place lover. For him, any day that involves a bike, a camera, and a gritty historic neighborhood is basically the best day ever.

It's Time to "Vote Up" Preservation

Posted on: January 15th, 2009 by Jason Clement 1 Comment

 

For so many reasons, this past presidential election was like nothing we've ever seen - online that is.

With the candidates YouTube-ing, their advisors Twitter-ing and pretty much everyone Facebook-ing, we had a front-row seat to see politics get a daytime talk show-style makeover. And now that we've picked a president and he's just days away from taking office, we have another avenue for getting involved online.

The YouTube video (see!) above is from Valerie Jarrett, a co-chair of the Obama-Biden Transition Team. In it, she describes an innovative new project on Change.gov, the always-open online office of President-Elect Obama. Called the Citizen's Briefing Book, it's an opportunity for viewers to not only make policy suggestions for the new president, but to see and vote on the ideas of their fellow users. At the end of the project, the topics that are voted the most popular will make their way to Obama's desk in the Oval Office.

All you need to do it visit Change.gov and register - a necessary (yet quick and easy) step in order to participate. Next, search the idea pool for "Historic Preservation." You'll find a variety of topics related to our mission, including this popular entry entitled "Historic Preservation is Sustainability:"

The National Historic Preservation Program is essential for the funding of public and private initiatives to advance sustainability. Financial tools to improve energy efficiency in buildings must include assistance for owners of historic buildings, both residential and commercial, to rehabilitate and upgrade their properties in accordance with historic preservation standards.

Maximizing the contribution of historic preservation to the green economy and sustainability requires a skilled labor force.

Global climate change leads to increasingly devastating natural disasters that require a comprehensive approach to the protection of historic sites and communities.

Infrastructure rehabilitation and improvements are critical to the preservation and sustainability of our historic urban and rural communities.

To this end, expanding resources for the National Historic Preservation Program is critical to providing the infrastructure needed for the stewardship and sustainability of the built environment.

You'll see the rating of each idea once you open them. The goal is to "vote up" ideas like the one above (which is already at over 1,500 and counting) that are related to our preservation goals.

And of course, if you have a spare moment after doing your voting up, consider leaving comments as well (use our policy platform if you need help making the case). This is, after all, a public forum designed to uncover what the people feel are the most pressing issues facing our nation today. It's critical that, when given "open government" opportunities like this, we all act as thought-leaders by demonstrating how preservation is so much more than just standing in front of bulldozers.

Jason Clement

Jason Clement

Jason Lloyd Clement is the associate director for strategic campaigns at the National Trust, which is really just a fancy way of saying he’s a professional place lover. For him, any day that involves a bike, a camera, and a gritty historic neighborhood is basically the best day ever.

Inaugural Parade: Joseph McGill Is Suited Up and Ready to March

Posted on: January 14th, 2009 by Jason Clement

 

The Trust's Joseph McGill is ready to represent the brave men of the 54th in the inaugural parade.

The National Trust's very own Joseph McGill is ready to represent the brave men of the 54th in the inaugural parade.

Meet Joseph McGill. Most days you'll find him hard at work at the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Southern Regional Office, where he is a program officer. Other days, you'll find him suited up - musket and all - on the battlefield.

Joseph is a Civil War reenactor who marches with a Charleston-based group dedicated to keeping the amazing story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry alive today. If you've seen the movie "Glory," then you know that the 54th were African American troops who fought for the Union during the war, waging an infamous battle on Morris Island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor.

However, come next Tuesday, Joseph will be representing the 54th in a whole new location: Pennsylvania Avenue. The Boston-based reenactors of the 54th were invited by President-Elect Barack Obama to join the inaugural parade, and Joe is still overwhelmed at the news that he will be able to join them.

In anticipation of the big day, we had a chance to chat with him about the significance of the parade - both for him and for the original members of the 54th.

PreservationNation: How long have you been doing Civil War reenactments, and what made you want to get involved in the first place?

I have been a Civil War reenactor since 1991. As a park ranger at Fort Sumter National Monument, I made friends with several Confederate Civil War reenactors. That, along with the award-winning movie"Glory," helped convince me that African Americans had a say in the outcome of the Civil War. I became a Civil War reenactor because it allows me the opportunity to interpret the rest of the story - the part that is usually left out of the history books.

PreservationNation: What is one behind-the-scenes aspect of reenactments that people might not know about?

There are many behind-the-scenes aspects of reenactments that people might not know. One such aspect is the amount of research that it takes to become a reenactor. Reenactors should study both sides of the conflict. Reenactors should know what motivated the northern and southern soldiers to participate in the war. Reenactors should also know how to conduct themselves in formations on the march or on the field of battle. Safety is always important.

PreservationNation: Did you ever think that a hobby would one day land you on Pennsylvania Avenue escorting our first African-American president to the White House?

No, when I started this hobby in 1991, I never thought it would earn me the opportunity to participate in the inaugural parade of the first African-American president. Heck, I never thought that I would see an African-American president in my life. I was satisfied with disseminating the history of the approximately 200,000 African Americans who joined the Union Army and the Navy, but participating in the inaugural parade was an offer I could not refuse.

PreservationNation: Tell us more about the significance of President-Elect Obama choosing reenactors of the 54th to march in the parade.

I think that it was destiny that we were chosen to participate in the inaugural parade. President-Elect Obama is a fan of President Abraham Lincoln. It was President Lincoln who gave the 54th the opportunity to serve the Union during the Civil War.

PreservationNation: If the men of the 54th were alive today, what do you think they would have say about what will happen on January 20th?

If the men of the 54th could speak to us, they would say job well done. They would look at January 20th as a stamp of approval for why they served. They would say that, just as we encountered tremendous odds, so did President-Elect Obama. They would go on to say that the fight is not over, and that we will face the challenges as a unified nation - not a divided one.

PreservationNation: The Trust has put together an inaugural guide of historic places and neighborhoods people can visit while they are in D.C. for the inauguration. Other than the sights and sounds of the parade, what else are you looking forward to seeing in Washington?

The Lincoln Memorial is on my short list of places to visit. It will take on a special meaning this trip. I will also be travelling with my wife, Vilarin, and my 11 year-old daughter, Jocelyn. I am certain that Jocelyn will want to share her experience with anyone willing to listen.

Visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation's special inaugural guide to learn more about everything the D.C. area has to offer visitors over the coming days.

Jason Clement

Jason Clement

Jason Lloyd Clement is the associate director for strategic campaigns at the National Trust, which is really just a fancy way of saying he’s a professional place lover. For him, any day that involves a bike, a camera, and a gritty historic neighborhood is basically the best day ever.

Meet This Week's Faces in Preservation

Posted on: January 6th, 2009 by Jason Clement

 

This week, Faces in Preservation is back with a look at preservation movers and shakers who are leading by example through innovative stewardship and funding programs.

Jerome “PopAgee” Johnson
He's a self-professed "soldier of jazz," and he's leading a movement to restore the New Orleans landmarks where Buddy Bolden, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong got their start. His name is Jerome "PopAgee" Johnson, and with the help of Save America's Treasures, he is going save America's music. >> Read More

Noël Strattan & Ira Beckerman
Noël Strattan and Ira Beckerman are two archaeologists whose mission to change the way Pennsylvania catalogues its historic and cultural resources has evolved into an innovative national model for Section 106 done right. >> Read More

Intended to supplement our policy platform for President-Elect Barack Obama, Faces in Preservation is a weekly showcase of preservationists who are amazing examples of the kind of work we are hoping to see more of in the future. Stay tuned as we continue to explore new fields and new faces in the days leading up to the Inauguration.

Jason Clement

Jason Clement

Jason Lloyd Clement is the associate director for strategic campaigns at the National Trust, which is really just a fancy way of saying he’s a professional place lover. For him, any day that involves a bike, a camera, and a gritty historic neighborhood is basically the best day ever.

A Different Kind of Year-End List: What We Would Miss About Lower Mid-City

Posted on: December 31st, 2008 by Jason Clement 1 Comment

 

This week is what I refer to annually as the Week of Lists.

From magazines to the Internet, the outgoing year is relived in every imaginable category. In addition to Time's People of the Year, I've read about 2008's highest-grossing movies, most outrageous Hollywood moments (a perennial favorite of mine), biggest YouTube videos, top-earning business tycoons, most memorable campaign gaffes, hottest food trends, most prolific buzzwords (change!) and best television advertisements.

Talk about a whole lot of nothing, huh?

Today, as we make big plans to celebrate an even bigger night, there are residents in Lower Mid-City New Orleans who are making the kind of plans most of us will never be faced with in our lifetimes: where am I going to go if my house gets demolished?

While the fate of this historic neighborhood is still painfully unclear, we wanted to use today to look back at 2008 as a year that saw the residents of Lower Mid-City - and their many advocates from New Orleans to Washington, D.C. - come together to fight for what's fair, right and responsible. So, in between reading about the year's biggest breakups and worst-dressed A-listers, please take a moment to read our special year-end list, What We Would Miss About Lower Mid-City.

Unlike the others, it won't rot your brain, but touch your heart. And when you're done, consider taking a moment to make a difference by telling a friend about our Mid-City website, sending a letter or posting a video on Facebook.

Jason Clement

Jason Clement

Jason Lloyd Clement is the associate director for strategic campaigns at the National Trust, which is really just a fancy way of saying he’s a professional place lover. For him, any day that involves a bike, a camera, and a gritty historic neighborhood is basically the best day ever.