Conservation Skills provides an overview of the issues facing conservators of historic and artistic works. It not only describes the nature of conservation but also provides an ethical framework to which the conservation of objects can be related. Drawing on case studies of well-known objects such as the body of Lindow Man and the Statue of Liberty it addresses the following issues: * perception, judgement and learning * reasons for preserving the past * the nature and history of conservation * conservation ethics * recording, investigating, cleaning objects * stabilisation and restoration * preventive conservation * decision making and responsibilities.
Conservation Skills for the 21st Century provides a much-needed update to the original Conservation Skills volume, presenting an overview of current issues facing conservators of historic and artistic works. Beginning with the basics – why the past is important, as well as an overview of the nature and history of conservation – the book allows the reader to develop a holistic appreciation of the subject. As with the first edition, this volume assists with the development of judgement in conservation students and young professionals. A selection of new case studies representing issues conservators are likely to face in the 21st century illustrates the crucial considerations that must be made when proposing and executing a conservation treatment. Incorporating recent developments and use of new technologies in conservation processes, the book also covers topics such as conservation ethics; recording and documentation; investigating and cleaning objects; stabilisation and restoration; values, decision-making, and responsibilities; preventive conservation; approaches to the treatment of working and socially active objects; sustainability in conservation; and the conservator’s role as advocate. With detailed case studies and written in a clear, accessible style, Conservation Skills for the 21st Century remains essential reading for student conservators and conservation professionals around the globe working across a wide range of conservation disciplines.
Whether you are managing wetlands, protecting endangered species, or restoring ecosystems, you need to be able to communicate effectively in order to solve conservation and resource management problems. Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals can help you do just that— it is a practical and inspiring book that provides user-friendly guidance on achieving conservation goals through effective communication. Following introductory chapters that draw on research from communication, psychology, sociology, and education to highlight elements critical for effective communication, the book describes how to gather background information and target audiences, explains how public relations can influence attitudes and behaviors, and outlines how to design and conduct a communications campaign. In addition, it provides step-by-step guidance for using print, broadcast, and electronic mass media; demonstrates methods for developing public talks, interpretive brochures, exhibits, and trails; and explores long-term conservation education strategies for students and adults. This second edition of a widely praised book, originally published in 1999, includes new material on working with stakeholders, volunteers, and other groups to multiply conservation success. It also expands on the use of electronic media with examples of conservation Web pages, blogs, e-newsletters, and other new media. The book’ s citations have been updated to include a host of Web sites and other electronic sources useful for planning and implementing communication programs. Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals is a valuable addition to the conservationist’ s toolbox that will help scientists, managers, concerned citizens, and students communicate more effectively.
Successful natural resource management is much more than good science; it requires working with landowners, meeting deadlines, securing funding, supervising staff, and cooperating with politicians. The ability to work effectively with people is as important for the conservation professional as it is for the police officer, the school teacher, or the lawyer. Yet skills for managing human interactions are rarely taught in academic science programs, leaving many conservation professionals woefully unprepared for the daily realities of their jobs. Written in an entertaining, easy-to-read style, The Conservation Professional’s Guide to Working with People fills a gap in conservation education by offering a practical, how-to guide for working effectively with colleagues, funders, supervisors, and the public. The book explores how natural resource professionals can develop skills and increase their effectiveness using strategies and techniques grounded in social psychology, negotiation, influence, conflict resolution, time management, and a wide range of other fields. Examples from history and current events, as well as real-life scenarios that resource professionals are likely to face, provide context and demonstrate how to apply the skills described. The Conservation Professional’s Guide to Working with People should be on the bookshelf of any environmental professional who wants to be more effective while at the same time reducing job-related stress and improving overall quality of life. Those who are already good at working with people will learn new tips, while those who are petrified by the thought of conducting public meetings, requesting funding, or working with constituents will find helpful, commonsense advice about how to get started and gain confidence.
This book is the third in a series of volumes that combine conservation philosophy in the built environment with knowledge of traditional materials, and structural and constructional conservation techniques and technology: Understanding Historic Building Conservation Structures & Construction in Historic Building Conservation Materials & Skills for Historic Building Conservation The series aims to introduce each aspect of conservation and to provide concise, basic and up-to-date knowledge for architects, surveyors and engineers as well as for commissioning client bodies, managers and advisors. In each book, Michael Forsyth draws together chapters by leading architects, structural engineers and related professionals to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of conservation work. The books are structured to be of direct practical application, taking the reader through the process of historic building conservation and emphasising throughout the integrative teamwork involved. The present volume - Materials & Skills for Historic Building Conservation – describes the characteristics and process of decay of traditional materials which inform the selection of appropriate repair techniques. It provides essential information on the properties of the principal traditional external building materials. Their availability, sourcing and environmental impact is covered, as well as the causes of erosion and decay, and the skills required for their application on conservation projects. It covers the main most commonly used materials and conservation techniques including stone, brickwork, lime products, concrete, iron and steel, timber, wattle and daub, and glass, Thirteen chapters written by the experts present today's key issues in materials and skills for historic building conservation: Gus Astley, Patrick Baty, Charley Brentnall, Michael Bussell, Michael Forsyth, Tony Graham, Chris Harris, David McLaughlin, Brian Ridout, Mike Stock, Geoff Wallis, Ian Williams, Rory Young
This authoritative book offers contributions from leading practitioners and scholars presenting an assessment of the current state of conservation in the UK. It raises concerns about the ambivalence within government towards heritage protection. It considers the need for a clear understanding of the value of architectural heritage; the importance of training; adequate funding for maintenance, and support at a local and community level. It also discusses the role of the amenity societies and provides a useful comparison of the national and regulation driven process operating in the UK with the US local and incentive led approach.
This second edition of Textile Conservation offers an up-to-date perspective on the role and practice of textile conservators, capturing the diversity of textile conservation work across the globe. The volume considers key factors that are integral to effective conservation decision-making. It achieves this by focusing on four major factors that have influenced development in textile conservation practice over the past decades: the changing context, an evolution in the way conservators think about objects, the greater involvement of stakeholders, and technical development. Features of the new edition include: Updated chapters that explain new techniques and recent developments in the field; New and updated international case studies that demonstrate conservation decision-making in practice, including assessments of the conservation of objects in some of the world’s major cultural institutions; Full-colour illustrations that demonstrate conservation in practice. Textile Conservation will be essential reading for conservators around the world. It will also be of great interest to academics and students engaged in the study of the conservation of textiles, as well as museum and heritage professionals.
Winner of the RIBA Book Award, this important and timely publication brings together contributions from leading stone conservation practitioners. It discusses the philosophical principles on which stone conservation is founded and the need to understand the full history and development of a building before starting work. Other topics covered in this book include consolidation, cleaning, and the replacement of stone; conservation of different stone types, including limestone, sandstone, and marble; problems of dealing with polychrome stone; and finally, issues relating to church monuments and graveyards, taking account of the need for good maintenance and health and safety requirements. The book is illustrated with the authors' own examples of stone conservation in practice. Architects, surveyors and craftsmen involved in the conservation of stone structures will find this both a practical and useful reference work.
Community and public support are essential to the success of conservation and resource management programs. Often, the level of support received depends on whether or not the goals and importance of the program have been clearly explained to the public, the press, or policymakers. Without good communication, even the best programs are liable to fail. Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals provides in-depth guidance on achieving conservation goals through better communications. It introduces communication approaches -- marketing and mass media, citizen participation, public information, environmental interpretation, and conservation education activities -- and offers scores of real-world examples and straightforward advice that will help conservationists develop the the skills they need to communicate effectively. Following an introductory chapter that provides an overview of the communication process, the book: describes research techniques for gathering background information and targeting audiences outlines the steps involved in developing a communications campaign explains how to use mass media-from giving interviews to writing news releases and holding press conferences provides examples for developing interpretive media for conservation explores long-term conservation education strategies presents program evaluation techniques to determine the level of success achieved, or to identify steps for improvement Throughout, the author presents a rich storehouse of examples, guidelines, and planning tools for all kinds of communication challenges. Strategies and materials that have been used by organizations across the country -- from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to The Nature Conservancy, from Adirondack Park to Yellowstone National Park -- are featured, providing both inspiration and support for others involved with similar projects. Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals is a much-needed contribution to the environmental literature that will play a vital role in helping scientists, managers, concerned citizens, and students to more effectively communicate their knowledge and concern about the environment, and to achieve greater professional and community success with their environmental campaigns.
This book discusses the fundamentals and practical applications of heritage conservation as an important tool of a city's development. It presents case studies that demonstrate how to achieve a balance between the promotion of tourism industry and the generation of income while also seeking optimum sustainable methods for Conserving the City's Tradition and Identity. The book in hand offers useful insights to a wide array of audience aware of the need to preserve the architectural beauty of cities, such as architects, policymakers, investors and even the wide public who is interested in ways of conserving and protecting cultural sites.