5 Organizations Preserving Valuable Resources For Future Generations
Because the places we inhabit and the cultures they support are constantly changing, important historical knowledge and materials are always subject to erasure. While we can't stop the flux and flow of time, we can do our best to safeguard crucial resources for the benefit of upcoming generations. The organizations listed here do just that, preserving everything from natural areas and architecture to entire archives of human activity. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Groups Focused on Environmental & Cultural Preservation
| Organization | Headquarters Location | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hills Clean Water Alliance | Rapid City, South Dakota | Stop current and prevent future radioactive and destructive mining in the Black Hills region to protect valuable resources - especially water - for future generations |
| Vancouver Heritage Foundation | Vancouver, British Columbia | Promote the appreciation and conservation of the city's historic places for current and future generations |
| Arch Mission Foundation | Los Angeles, California | Archive the knowledge and species of Earth for future generations |
| Olmsted Linear Park Alliance | Atlanta, Georgia | Implement Frederick Law Olmsted's original vision for the Olmsted Linear Park through a master plan adopted by the City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Fernbank, Inc. |
| The Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation | New York City, New York | Spread knowledge about the profound legacy of Paul Rudolph, and preserve the work of this great and internationally-important 20th century architect |
Maintaining History in Vancouver
5 Benefits of Parks
- Bring trees and other plants to urban environments
- Give people a place to be physically active
- Increase property values
- Protect and preserve wildlife
- Host community events and social programs
Ways to Engage in Lifelong Learning
- Visit a museum or historic site
- Read both fiction and non-fiction as often as you can
- Teach others what you know
- Explore new places
- Start a creative project, like a vlog or podcast
- Get a good desk for your home
- Join a study group
- Take a hike through nature
- Listen to different types of music
- Look up words you don't know in the dictionary
The Lunar Library's Archive of Humanity
In Depth
In the years to come, today's children will inherit the Earth. The way we leave it and the lessons we pass on will determine what kind of planet they get. From history to natural resources, the following organizations, in no particular order, are doing admirable work on preserving the environment, art, and records for generations down the road.
At #1 is the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance. Founded in 2009, the group is an offshoot of the Black Hills Alliance. It has been prolific in defending the region, having worked with a coalition of indigenous people, local residents, and white environmentalists to successfully oppose the mining of uranium in the area back in 1979.
Today the focus of the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance is to stop radioactive and destructive mining in the Black Hills region. The organization uses public education, community action, and protest to highlight the impacts that mining can have on communities and natural resources. In 2020, the group went so far as to file suit against the U.S. government to protect the Rapid Creek area.
The organization uses public education, community action, and protest to highlight the impacts that mining can have on communities and natural resources.
Coming in at #2 is the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. The group was founded in 1992 with the aim of promoting the appreciation and preservation of Vancouver's historic locations. The organization does so by creating opportunities and resources for heritage education and by providing practical support for conserving historic buildings and sites.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is governed by a private citizen board and hosts upwards of 50 events a year to explore and celebrate historic events and locations. Past projects have included a decade-long public art project called "THE WALL," the preservation of Kogawa and Leslie Lane Houses, and the repurposing of the historic Georgia Street Medical-Dental Building's Terra Cotta Nurses.
At #3, we have the Arch Mission Foundation. Launched in 2016 by inventor, futurist, and AI expert Nova Spivack, the team seeks to maintain a "backup" of the planet Earth, ultimately preserving and disseminating humanity's most important knowledge throughout the universe with an ambitious project called the Billion Year Archive.
This project involves the construction and dispersal of long-term storage devices called Arch Libraries. Built using new technologies, these are some of the most durable records of human civilization ever built. Compact and designed to withstand the elements on this planet and beyond, the group currently has libraries on the moon and orbiting the sun, with the goal of expanding to Mars and beyond.
Clocking in at #4 is the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance. It all began in August 1995 in Atlanta as locals sought to come up with a strategy to rehabilitate the historic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. With guidance from public officials and from local and national consultants, the Olmsted Linear Park Master Plan was adopted in 1997.
Over a series of campaigns, the organization raised more than $10 million to support the implementation of the plan. Since then, all six park segments have been rehabilitated, with 11 miles of cable and conduit from utility lines buried, more than 6,000 linear feet of paths added, and over 2,600 new trees and shrubs planted, making it a popular location for artists, families, and dog lovers alike.
Since then, all six park segments have been rehabilitated, with 11 miles of cable and conduit from utility lines buried, more than 6,000 linear feet of paths added, and over 2,600 new trees and shrubs planted, making it a popular location for artists, families, and dog lovers alike.
Rounding out the list at #5 is the Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation. It was established in 2015 to further recognition and conservation of the work of renowned architect and educator Paul Rudolph. Located in his Modulightor building in New York, the organization's goal is to communicate the man's legacy in a larger architectural and cultural context.
The Foundation owns, maintains, and is constantly expanding a collection of data related to Paul Rudolph's body of work, his influences, and the culture that shaped him. The group also advocates for the preservation of buildings designed by the Late Modernist, holding lectures and salons, developing educational tours of buildings, and making suggestions for reuse and redevelopment schemes to avoid demolition of places like the Boston Government Services Center.
