Preserving Legacies

23/03/2026

Important to see the conversation shifting from World Heritage inscription to long-term stewardship.

For transnational sites like The Great Spa Towns of Europe, this work depends on strong international collaboration and shared responsibility.

We’re proud to see our Climate Custodian Chiara Ronchini contributing to this dialogue and to support cross-border capacity building where shared learning is strengthening collective resilience.

The Great Spa Towns of Europe

18/02/2026

OPPORTUNITY: 2027 World Monuments Watch Nominations Are Open!

World Monuments Fund (WMF) has opened the nomination window for the 2027 World Monuments Watch, a global platform elevating heritage places in need of urgent action.

Since 1996, the Watch has helped mobilize international visibility, technical expertise, and funding for sites facing critical threats.

✔️ Open to nominations from individuals and community-based organizations
✔️ Global visibility and advocacy
✔️ Support for sites facing urgent challenges, including climate impacts

If you know of a heritage place at risk, we at Preserving Legacies think this is a powerful opportunity to amplify local voices and catalyze meaningful support.

🗓️ Nominations open now through March 20, 2026
🔗Nominate a site today. We encourage you to apply! https://www.wmf.org/watch-nominate

13/02/2026

Our Director of Science, , recently participated in the 6th Heritage Dialogue of the European Heritage Hub at the Citadelle de Marseille, Fort Saint-Nicolas.

Reflecting on the gathering, she shared how heritage is not only something to protect, but it is a living force. It strengthens relationships, carries knowledge across generations, reduces risk, and builds collective resilience and community cohesion.

From youth training initiatives to cross-Mediterranean collaboration between Europe, Africa, and West Asia, the dialogue reinforced a powerful idea: “when heritage creates jobs, skills, confidence, and new narratives, it also builds adaptive capacity in the face of climate change”.

This is where Preserving Legacies stands, connecting climate adaptation with the lived cultural realities of communities, so that responding to climate change also strengthens identity, dignity, equity, and solidarity.
We are grateful for Salma’s thoughtful leadership in this important space.

13/02/2026

Our Director of Science, Dr. Salma Sabour Grela, recently participated in the 6th Heritage Dialogue of the European Heritage Hubat the Citadelle de Marseille, Fort Saint-Nicolas.

Reflecting on the gathering, she shared how heritage is not only something to protect, but it is a living force. It strengthens relationships, carries knowledge across generations, reduces risk, and builds collective resilience and community cohesion.

From youth training initiatives to cross-Mediterranean collaboration between Europe, Africa, and West Asia, the dialogue reinforced a powerful idea: "when heritage creates jobs, skills, confidence, and new narratives, it also builds adaptive capacity in the face of climate change".

This is where Preserving Legacies stands, connecting climate adaptation with the lived cultural realities of communities, so that responding to climate change also strengthens identity, dignity, equity, and solidarity.

We are grateful for Salma’s thoughtful leadership in this important space.

Europa Nostra Citadelle de Marseille ACTA VISTA International National Trusts Organisation (INTO)

12/02/2026

Our Director of Education and Knowledge, Dr. Sarah Forgesson (Ngāti Whakaue) was honoured to be selected as a participant of the recently finished IPCC Diverse Knowledge Systems Workshop. Over three days, experts across the world, including a number of Indigenous knowledge holders, sought to define and help forge new equitable pathways for the inclusion of Indigenous and local knowledge systems in the IPCC processes, whose reports on climate science guide global decision-making. We eagerly await the results from these workshops and thank all the hard work of the IPCC, participants, and others in the development and delivery of them.

Two workshops, Engaging Diverse Knowledge Systems & Methods of Assessment, opened at the University of Reading today. Over the next 3 days, 90 experts will discuss & produce guidance for the leadership and authors working on IPCC's seventh assessment.

🔗 https://www.ipcc.ch/2026/02/09/ipcc-co-located-workshops/

21/01/2026

The Rideau Canal in Canada is often celebrated as an engineering marvel, but it is also a living landscape where cultural and natural heritage intersect.

Today, National Geographic highlights the work of Dr. Grégory Bulté with the support of our Climate Custodian, Cass Stabler who is helping safeguard one of Canada’s most climate-vulnerable reptiles: the Northern Map Turtle.

As climate change alters winter ice conditions, these cold-adapted turtles face new threats, including increased winter predation during freeze–thaw cycles. Through long-term research and innovative monitoring, this work is helping protect a species now listed as of special concern in Canada.

📸 This story is told through the lenses of Michael O. Snyder Photography and Justin Dalaba, whose work goes above and beyond to connect people to place, bridging culture and science to show why this heritage matters.

To read the full story visit Natgeo https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/map-turtles-canada-deaths-investigation

National Geographic Society

22/12/2025

⏳ Last 2 weeks to apply!

Applications for the 2026 Climate Heritage Cohort Program close January 5, 2026. Only 10 heritage places or practices will be selected for this fully supported, 3-year, community-led journey to protect heritage and build climate resilience.

If you are a steward ready to safeguard what matters most to your community — this is your moment. 🌍✨

👉 Apply now and be part of a global community of action.
🔗 Learn more & apply: https://www.heritageadapts.org/post/2026-cohort-program-application-open-now

International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Climate Heritage Network, National Geographic Society, Victoria Herrmann

16/12/2025

In Champagne, climate adaptation was shaped by those who live and work the landscape every day.

Led by local Climate Custodians Amandine Crépin and Séverine Couvreur, this community-driven workshop brought together winegrowers, residents, tourism professionals, researchers, youth, and local institutions.

Together, participants identified and prioritized key heritage values, the vineyard landscapes, historic cellars and houses, traditional know-how, intergenerational practices, and the living relationship between climate, soil, vines, and community.

They mapped current and emerging climate hazards, including rising temperatures, drought, extreme rainfall, erosion, spring frosts, and cascading impacts on vines, cellars, landscapes, and livelihoods. Through role-playing and collective analysis, stakeholders explored how these hazards interact and compound across the territory.

Looking ahead, the group examined future climate scenarios across two time horizons, assessing how different warming pathways could reshape the landscape, and how adaptation responses like new grape varieties, vine spacing, hedgerows, and land management might reduce risk while protecting heritage values.

A powerful example of locally led climate risk assessment rooted in knowledge, solidarity, and shared responsibility. 🍾✨

Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne - Patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO, Séverine Couvreur International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), National Geographic Society, Climate Heritage Network

12/12/2025

Congratulations to our Rock of Cashel custodians and their community for ending the year strong by coming together to co-create a future for this special place - we can't wait to continue to support your adaptation journey in the new year and beyond!

11/12/2025

Our countdown has begun. Only three weeks left to apply for the 2026 Climate Heritage Cohort!

Preserving Legacies goes far beyond learning, assessing, and adapting heritage places. It’s a transformative journey where you’ll build bonds, connections, and friendships that outlast the program itself.

This community bridges values across cultures, strengthens local leadership, and brings to life the community-based climate solutions our world needs. Because no one can solve the climate crisis alone — and creativity, collaboration, and culture are our strongest tools.

🌍 What to Expect

📚 Year 1 — Learn: 12 months of free online training + mentorship + a fully funded international workshop

🤝 Year 2 — Assess: Lead a climate risk assessment with expert support, downscaled data, and funding

🛠️ Year 3 — Act: Implement a community adaptation action with a seed grant + guidance from global partners

📣 Throughout: Storytelling support + lifelong membership in our global community of action

✨ Deadline: January 5, 2026
Apply now → https://www.heritageadapts.org/post/2026-cohort-program-application-open-now
Learn more → https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecL5oisQcw6MQBeNsm7DDzgvUNQ_j30Sc_dxh_kNWEGms0zw/viewform

08/12/2025

On Kerkennah Island, where life has long moved with the tides and charfia fishing has been passed down through generations, the community is taking the lead in protecting its future from the impacts of climate change.

Our Climate Risk & Adaptation Workshop, led by the incredible climate custodians Sana Taktak and Aissa Arous, brought together fishermen and Fisherwomen, youth, artisans, scientists, and local leaders to map climate impacts, preserve heritage, and co-create solutions.

From eroding coastlines and salinized soils to shrinking palm groves and threatened marabouts, participants used science, lived experience, and values to chart adaptation strategies.

By the end of the week, the community signed a shared adaptation charter, committing to safeguard Kerkennah’s land, sea, traditions, and future generations.

📖 Read the full story and journey of resilience here: https://www.heritageadapts.org/post/kerkennah-islands-changing-tides-how-a-community-is-charting-its-future-in-the-face-of-climate-change

05/12/2025

The countdown begins. Only 4 weeks left to apply!

Applications are now OPEN for the 2026 Climate Heritage Cohort Program, and we’re looking for ten heritage places or practices ready to protect their community and build a climate-resilient future.

This is more than a program — it’s a global family of custodians, community leaders, and knowledge keepers working together to safeguard what matters most.
If you’re committed to a community-led, values-driven, science-informed approach to climate resilience… this is for you.

🌍 What to Expect

📚 Year 1 Learn: 12 months of free online training + mentorship + a fully funded international workshop.
🤝 Year 2 Assess: Lead a climate risk assessment with support, data, and funding.
🛠️ Year 3 Act: Implement a community adaptation action with a seed grant + expert guidance.

✨ Deadline: January 5, 2026

Apply now → https://www.heritageadapts.org/post/2026-cohort-program-application-open-now

Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecL5oisQcw6MQBeNsm7DDzgvUNQ_j30Sc_dxh_kNWEGms0zw/viewform

Diana Bermúdez, Victoria Herrmann International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), National Geographic Society, National Geographic Society