Rare and Unusual Raptors of Northern Belize

The second smallest country in Central America, Belize has a stunning array of natural areas that is only matched by the remarkable diversity of animals that call them home. A small human population and strong conservation ethics have preserved nearly 75 percent of Belize in its natural state. This guide lists some of the rarer and more unusual raptors you might encounter while birding in northern Belize.

Conservation and Heritage As Creative Processes of Future-Making

According to the logic of the conservation ethics, the heritage sector has the duty to conserve cultural heritage because it has inherent value and constitutes a non-renewable resource that once destroyed cannot be substituted and, therefore, must be preserved for the benefit of future generations. In this article, I argue, however, that the cultural heritage of the past is not a comprehensive legacy that theoretically, at any point, might have been considered complete but, rather, that it can be understood as frequently updated manifestations of changing perceptions of the past over time. The most important question for conservation and heritage management, thus, is not how much heritage of any one period may or may not survive intact into the future but, instead, which heritage, as our legacy to the generations to come, will benefit future societies the most. In particular, I am calling for more research into the possible significance of heritage in addressing some of the social consequences of climate change.

CONSERVATION ETHICS TODAY: ARE OUR CONSERVATION-RESTORATION THEORIES AND PRACTICE READY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY? INTRODUCTORY NOTES TO SOME CENTRAL ISSUES

-

ON PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVITY

The character of conservation has changed since the idea of preserving the physical remnants of history became important. Principles derived from this beginning and later on form the basis of what conservation ethics intend today. These principles were never rigid though - yet when it comes to conflict they should be transparent and precise in order to avoid the impression of arbitrariness. Developments continue, and the question where the power of decision should lie is more and more being discussed.

THE VOICE OF CONSERVATION-RESTORATION ON MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESTORATION PROJECTS

As conservator-restorers we should be „a voice of reason”, an advocate that speaks for the cultural heritage values of our built heritage. However, we are often only one voice in a large group consisting of everything from structural engineers, geologists and carpenters to economic advisors and bureaucrats. Being a conservator-restorer in such settings often turns out to be a great balancing act. On the one hand, we are supposed to protect the buildings against any intervention that will compromise its authenticity and cultural values. On the other hand, we must allow as much protective work as possible to ensure the buildings’ future. Questions that can arise for a conservator-restorer during and after discussions in multi-disciplinary groups are many. Questions that needs answering before work starts. Are the conservator-restorer and the master craftsperson really on each end of the scale in a project, or is it just that we use different words? Is it conservation ethics versus the practical view of the engineer, or can both sides be pragmatic and find a new and possibly better solution? Is it possible that the conservator-restorer and the funding body can meet in the middle, or can that jeopardize the project?