I was catching up on my National Geographics last month when I came across an article on World Heritage Sites in the October 2002 Issue (I got a little behind). Anyway, aside from looking at the really spectacular pictures of some of the world's most significant sites, I became intrigued with the whole idea of the "Best of the Best" embodied in the idea of World Heritage Sites (WHS). The mission of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the WHS is to encourage countries in the protection of their own natural and cultural heritage. Signatories to the Convention on World Heritage Sites (the U.S. was the first in 1973!), can nominate places within their own borders for consideration as a site by a committee selected from representatives of each country that has signed the convention (presently 176).

There are two principle categories of sites. A cultural heritage site is a monument, group of buildings, or site of historical, aesthetic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological value. These can range from the sublime - the Taj Mahal or Chartres, to the deeply historical - Stonehenge or the cave paintings in Tassili-n-Ajjer National Park, Algeria, to the shameful - Auschwitz or Goree Island, Senegal (the embarkation point for slave ships to the new world), or to the visionary - Wittenberg, Germany (where Luther nailed his theses challenging the Catholic church to the cathedral door) or New Lanark, Scotland (where a 19th century industrialist decided to provide schooling, health care and decent housing to workers as a matter of course). As the WHS kid's page puts it, a site is important not just for how it looks, but also for what it means.

A natural heritage site designates an outstanding physical, biological or geological feature, habitats of threatened plants or animals, or areas of high scientific, conservation or aesthetic value. These can range from sites illustrating earth's history - the Galapagos or the Grand Canyon, to significant examples of biological or ecological processes - the Everglades or Australia's Great Barrier Reef, to neat natural phenomena - Yellowstone's Old Faithful or the glaciers of the Swiss Alps, to exceptional natural beauty - Fiordland National Park in New Zealand or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, or to sites conserving biological diversity - lowland Gorillas in Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Komodo Dragons in Komodo National Park in the Lesser Sundra Islands.

There are 754 sites currently listed, 582 cultural sites, 149 natural sites and 23 mixed sites - sites that preserve natural landscapes significantly transformed by humans, and representing important cultural stages or transitions. A site gets on the list by being nominated by its government. To qualify, it is not enough to be universally significant, a site has to be already protected by the country's own laws or by strong cultural traditions. In addition the country has to already have a plan for long term preservation of the site. While the Convention can provide expertise and a modest amount of funds to assist with identifying sites, preparing nominations and developing plans, the country itself must take responsibility for nomination and long-term protection of the site. Moreover, the Convention has no power to compel protection of a World Heritage Site other than to put sites on its "danger" list. While this may have a significant impact on public awareness, it is the country's commitment to the site that is key to its preservation.

For example, Yellowstone National Park was flagged as "in danger" by the WHS Convention in the 1990's when a mining company proposed opening a gold mine within two miles of the park. The eventual withdrawal of the mining proposal has been held up in some quarters as an example of how the UN was covertly taking over management of U.S. parks and trying to extinquish the free exercise of private property rights as part of the New World Order/Green Advocacy Groups plan for ending democracy.

In fact, the only power the available to the Convention was saying the park was in danger. It was the intense reaction of local and national environmental groups, state and federal agencies and Yellowstone's 7,000 job and $120 million (annually) tourist industry that really put the kibosh on the mining plan. The company was proposing to lease Forest Service Land (at $5 per acre thanks to an 1872 mining land) as part of the operation, wanted to build a "permanent" 70 acre tailings pond to store hazardous mining waste upstream from Yellowstone's rivers, was going to operate in Grizzly Bear habitat, and already had 4 of its 6 U.S. mining operations under environmental litigation. The potential environmental damage and loss of tourism dollars might not have seemed like a good tradeoff for the mining company's 175 jobs and $7 million annual payroll (for just 15 years) even for many of the locals.

So, the WHS Convention is really just a cool list of all the universally significant cultural and natural sites on this planet. I'm going to try and see as many of these as I can (while of course minimizing the environmental impact my travel could have). The list for the U.S. (along with date of access) is: 1978 - Mesa Verde, Yellowstone; 1979 - Grand Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Independence Hall; 1980 - Redwood National Park; 1981 - Mammoth Cave National Park, Olympic National Park; 1982 -Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site; 1983 - Great Smoky Mountains National Park, La Fortaleza and San Juan Historic Site in Puerto Rico; 1984 - Statue of Liberty, Yosemite National Park; 1987 - Monticello and University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Chaco Culture National Historic Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; 1992 - Pueblo de Taos; 1995 Carlsbad Caverns National Park. I've done eight just by accident, and reflecting on just those places, the World Heritage Sites people certainly know their stuff.

For more information on the Convention
http://whc.unesco.org/nwhc/pages/home/pages/homepage.htm

For the complete list of world sites
http://whc.unesco.org/nwhc/pages/doc/mainf3.htm

You can also check out the Biosphere Reserves (sites of ecological and human significance) http://www.unesco.org/mab/

Bio Regional Quiz: What Missouri eco-region was briefly considered for listing as a biosphere reserve? (This listing would have put it in the company of the Everglades, sections of the Alps, the central Amazon, Komodo, Mount Carmel and the Serengeti)

Job of the Month: Development Officer, Earth Justice, the nonprofit law firm for the earth. This is a full-time professional staff position reporting to the Vice President of Development. This individual will implement a comprehensive program of research on individuals and foundations that are prospects for significant financial support to Earthjustice. Qualifications- BachelorÕs in a related field; Prior research experience in the non-profit field, preferably in the development area; excellent analytical and interpersonal skills, including outstanding communication skills, ability to manage several projects simultaneously, set priorities, problem solve, work independently, and meet deadlines; possess qualities of persistence and creativity; scrupulous attention to matters of discretion and confidentiality; experience with Windows Ð and network-based electronic environments, a variety of online databases, CD-ROMs, the Internet, and printed materials; and possess a fundamental understanding of fundraising concepts. Compensation We offer a mission and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package including excellent benefits. Diversity is highly valued. To Apply check out the complete job posting at: http://www.ecoemploy.com/posts/earthj.html

Special Opportunity:ÊSierra Club is looking for a part time person to recruit and organize volunteers to count cans and bottles along Columbia roads, gather city recycling data, research the level of support local businesses have given to the city recycling program, compile and organize data for presentation, and act as a media contact for the study. Min Qualifications: High School Degree or equivalent. Preferred Qualifications: Past experience organizing and working in campaigns, working knowledge of recycling issues. Salary Range - $200 per month. Interested, contact Johann Holt : 489-5436. Appl. Deadline Aug 15, Start Date Sept 1.

Special Events/Classes/Programs/Talks
HA HA TONKA FIELD TRIP: Saturday, August 9, Carpooling from Columbia 8:30 am at commuter lot at AC and 63 or meet at north end of park, accessible from 54 west out of Camdenton, down Route D. http://www.mostateparks.com/hahatonka/misc.htm for more information about the park, including directions and a map. Wild Ones
KATY TRAIL WALK: Friday, August 15, 5:45 pm Rocheport. Picnic at 7 pm. Native Plant Society
LEWIS AND CLARK FOR TEACHERS: Tuesday, August 26, 7 pm, Suite 305, Outdoors Building, 200 Old 63 South. Kat McCarthy, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, will talk about programs for the bicentennial of the "Corps of Discovery" Trip.
WINGED MIGRATION: Wednesday, August 27, 8 pm, Missouri Theatre, 9th Street, Downtown Columbia. Academy Award nominated film following bird migrations across 7 continents. Tickets $7 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. Pre-show event with photos, information on birds and live birds of prey. Audubon and Ragtag Cinema.
DOWNTOWN TWILIGHT FESTIVAL: Thursday evenings 6-10 pm in September. Music, food, vendors, interest groups.
HISTORY OF ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: Saturday, Sept 13, Park Office (upper lot), 9 am to noon(ish). Read diary of early resident, learn about tools of archaeology, help clean up a cultural site. David Sapp, Boone Co. Historical Society.
HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Saturday-Sunday, Sept 20-21, 10 am to 5 pm, Nifong Park

MU Organization Meetings and Contact Information ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL: http://www.missouri.edu/~jesse105/committees/pages/environmental.htm
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES EXEC COM: 882-7116
RECYCLING COMMITTEE; 882-3091
STUDENT SIERRA CLUB: 882-7116

Organization Meetings and Contact Information AUDUBON SOCIETY; 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, USGS, 4200 New Have
BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION; http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Wednesdays 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING; 875-0539 or http://peaceworks.missouri.org/
CHOUTEAU GROTTO; http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, Community Room of the Boone Electric Coop
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE; 882-7463 or email hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS; 874-6271 or http://www.ci.columbia.mo.us/dept/pubw/
COMMUNITY STORMWATER PROJECT: http://www.GoColumbiaMo.com/PublicWorks/StormWater/cswp.html
ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE STATE PARK; 474-7429 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Meet 4th Tuesdays, 7 pm
GREENBELT COALITION; 442-4789 or http://greenbelt.missouri.org Meet 1st Tuesdays, 7 pm, Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.
MISSOURI HEARTWOOD; 443-6832 or http://www.heartwood.org/MO
MISSOURI NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY; npshawth@hotmail.com Meet every other second Monday (Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov) at 7:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd, Columbia, MO.
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK; 443-0292 or http://mrcn.missouri.org/
PEDNET COALITION; email: pednet@pednet.org or http://www.pednet.org
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK; 449-7402 or http://rockbridge.missouri.org
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION; (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB; 443-4401 or http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Ave
WILD ONES; 499-3749 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.

Answer to BioRegional Quiz: The Ozarks. This is a geologically, biologically and culturally unique area of the U.S. straddling Missouri and Arkansas. The Ozarks sit on an ancient mountain chain that has been undergoing erosion for 250 million years and includes some of the world's oldest rocks. The area also contains over 200 endemic species, some of relict species of plants that moved in during glacial periods, and stayed once the glaciers retreated. It is also home to some intensely individualistic world views. The plan to include the Ozarks was ended in the mid 1990's due to strong local opposition supported by national private property groups. For some insight into the opposition to creating a biosphere reserve, check out "The Ozark Highlands Man and the Biosphere Reserve: A Study of a Failed Nomination Effort" by Theresa L. Goedeke and J. Sanford Rikoon (MU Rural Sociology) at: http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/ publications/Ozarks/. To check out the Ozarks, go south on 63, and pick any road heading east, south or west, and drive 'til you hit a park, or go to http://www.nps.gov/ozar/

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (envstudy@missouri. edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

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