U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield
@uscbs.bsky.social
USCBS is dedicated to preventing the destruction, damage and theft of cultural property during armed conflict and natural disasters. https://uscbs.org/
Thousands of America's historic landmarks face significant wildfire risk, says new study by UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS). #culturalheritage #historicsites #wildfire news.ucsb.edu/2026/022719/...
Thousands of America's historic landmarks face significant wildfire risk
Researchers at UCSB's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis assess the fire risk to thousands of America's beloved historic landmarks
news.ucsb.edu
On July 29, the Field Museum announced the creation of the Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law, a new endowed, two-year #fellowship in honor of Dr. Patty Gerstenblith. Congratulations, Dr. Gerstenblith, and thank you! uscbs.org/field-museum...
Field Museum Establishes Endowed Legal Fellowship Honoring Dr. Patty Gerstenblith - US Committee of the Blue Shield
uscbs.org
Cultural Emergency Response issued a statement on the recent #earthquakes in Venezuela. They request the public to connect them w/ local civil society organizations, #heritage professionals, museums, archives, libraries & initiatives who may need support. www.culturalemergency.org/programs/ear...
A reminder that our 2026 Conference is fast approaching! Registration will open in the coming weeks and we will be sure to circulate #conference registration links and details. In the meantime, please be sure to mark your calendars: Thursday, September 17 at American University in Washington D.C.!
As UNESCO's "Assessment of Living Heritage of Indigenous Community in Thame, Nepal, affected by GLOF" project comes to a close, it works to ensure that living heritage remains a part of Thame's long-term plans for resilience and management. www.unesco.org/en/articles/...
After catastrophe in the Himalayas, UNESCO and the Thame community
After a glacial lake outburst flood devastated the Himalayan village of Thame, Nepal, UNESCO partnered with local communities to safeguard living heritage at risk of being lost. By documenting
unesco.org
As a part of ICOM's Museums Connect Without Borders webinar series, the first session titled "Documentation Under Crisis" will be hosted on July 16. More information and links to registration for this webinar series are available here: icom-comms.mini.icom.museum/museums-conn...
Museums Connect Without Borders - ICOM COMMS
Persian VersionArabic Version Mutual Learning, Solidarity and Professional Exchange Across Challenging Contexts Museum and heritage professionals working in contexts affected by conflict, sanctions,...
icom-comms.mini.icom.museum
Rising waters of the James River pose a threat to Jamestown and the history it holds, reports Climate Central: www.climatecentral.org/video/as-sea...
As Seas Rise, American History Could be Washed Away | Climate Central
Climate Central bridges the scientific community and the public, providing clear information to help people make sound decisions about the climate.
climatecentral.org
The 2026 Symposium & Annual Conference of ICOMOS-USA and World Heritage USA is taking place this week, from July 8–10, in Philadelphia. Registration for both in-person & virtual attendance is available online. Please direct any questions to the organizers. usicomos.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/ne...
The Cultural Protection Fund under the British Council is accepting expressions of interest until July 20. Projects should safeguard #culturalheritage at risk from conflict or climate change in specific countries. More information at cultural-protection-fund.britishcouncil.org/2026-funding... #grant
cultural-protection-fund.britishcouncil.org
Reuters has released a visual investigation special report about the damage to Iran’s historic sites. The extensive report includes quotes from USCBS President, Patty Gerstenblith, and discussions of Blue Shield initiatives. www.reuters.com/investigates...
How 5 weeks of war shattered some of Iran’s cherished monuments
The air campaign across Iran damaged some of its most famous monuments, shattering glass and wood, and cracking walls and ceilings at UNESCO sites.
reuters.com
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has published its 2025 report on the implementation of the EU Concept on Cultural Heritage in Conflicts and Crises, which discusses the EU’s efforts towards policies, instruments, and partnerships in protecting cultural heritage. uscbs.org/eeas-publish...
EEAS Publishes Report on Cultural Heritage in Conflicts and Crises - US Committee of the Blue Shield
uscbs.org
“The Founding Four & 20 Years of USCBS” is happening tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24th at 1:30 pm EST. This webinar is free and open to the public but registration is required: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
1 week until our next webinar! 🔷 The Founding Four & 20 Years of USCBS 🔷 All are welcome, but registration is required: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The University for Continuing Education Krems is running a Certificate Program in Cultural Property Protection and Disaster Response through 2026-2027. The application deadline is July 31, 2026. More information can be found at: www.donau-uni.ac.at/en/studies/c...
Cultural Property Protection and Disaster Response - Certificate Program
Certificate Program, 2. Sem. berufsbegleitend – Steigen Sie in das internationale Netzwerk zum Thema Kulturgüterschutz und Sicherheit ein und lernen Sie, internationale Einsatzorganisationen in der Be...
donau-uni.ac.at
🔹 Webinar: "The Founding Four & 20 Years of USCBS" 📆 Wednesday, June 24th at 1:30 pm EST 🔗 Register here! zoom.us/webinar/regi... This webinar is free and open to the public but registration is required. Please register here and email hq@uscbs.org with any additional questions. See you there!
Part of the Research Handbooks in Law & Society series, the "Research Handbook on Art, Culture, and Heritage Law" includes contributions from various experts across 4 challenges: sustainable development, intergenerational equity, decolonization, & cultural rights. www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...
The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (MCI-SCRI) and its partners have published a new Potential Impact Report on #culturalheritage in Texas following the flooding and fires of July 2025. uscbs.org/mci-scri-pot...
Publication of MCI-SCRI's Potential Impact on Texan Cultural Heritage Report - US Committee of the Blue Shield
uscbs.org
The Cultural Emergency Response (CER), with the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute-Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (MCI-SCRI) and with the support of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, has published their “Supporting Heritage at Risk” manual. uscbs.org/cer-heritage...
Cultural Emergency Response Releases "Supporting Heritage at Risk: A Manual and Workshop Script for Heritage Proposal Writing" - US Committee of the Blue Shield
uscbs.org
The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield was saddened to learn of the severe damage to cultural property in Kyiv following Russia’s recent missile strikes. We condemn these attacks & applaud our Ukrainian colleagues who continue to protect their country’s cultural heritage. uscbs.org/kyiv-cultura...
Damage and Destruction of Cultural Property in Kyiv - US Committee of the Blue Shield
uscbs.org
From June 8-12, the United Nations Interregional Crime & Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and The American University of Rome (AUR) are running a course on "Cultural Heritage, Crime and Security." The deadline to apply is next Monday, June 1. More info found here: unicri.org/advanced-edu...
Save the Date! 🔷 USCBS 2026 Annual Conference 🗓️ September 17, 2026 📍 American University in Washington D.C. More information coming soon.
TODAY at 1:30 pm EDT! Webinar: "The Importance of Partnerships for Cultural Property in Challenging Times; 20 Years of Experience" zoom.us/webinar/regi...
A reminder that our next webinar is this Wednesday at 1:30 pm EDT! And we have an exciting new development: James Zeidler, will join Laurie Rush and Brian I. Daniels to discuss the importance of partnerships in the field of CPP. Registration is free and open to anyone: zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our next webinar is happening 1 week from today! 🔗 Register now to hear Laurie Rush & Brian I. Daniels discuss the importance of partnerships for CPP: zoom.us/webinar/regi... 🗓️ Wednesday, May 6 @ 1:30 pm EDT
A recent Hyperallergic article on the threats to Iranian cultural heritage includes comments by both Cori Wegener, founder of USCBS and current Board member, and Brian Daniels, Director of the Penn Cultural Heritage Center and USCBS Board member: hyperallergic.com/despite-unce...
Despite Uncertainty, Gulf Art World Projects Normalcy
Many museums and galleries remain open and Art Dubai is rescheduled with cautious optimism, but experts warn of threats to cultural heritage.
hyperallergic.com
@npr.org recently discussed the damage to Iranian #culturalheritage and included comments from USCBS President, Patty Gerstenblith: www.npr.org/2026/03/19/n...
Iran's cultural heritage sites are being damaged by American and Israeli strikes
The costs of the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran are mounting in terms of civilian deaths and damage to some of Iran's most famous and beloved cultural heritage sites.
npr.org
Blue shields have been placed at 34 archaeological sites across Lebanon in an effort to safeguard the country's cultural heritage: www.artnews.com/art-news/new... #CPP #blueshield
Blue Shields Placed at 34 Archaeological Sites Across Lebanon, Signaling Enhanced Protections
Blue shields now guard 34 archaeological sites across Lebanon, as the country moves to protect its cultural heritage amid escalating war.
artnews.com
Registration for a 3/27 conference titled, “Law, Heritage, & Identity: International Legal Frameworks for Cultural Preservation” s now open. USCBS VP, James Reap, will speak as part of “Trafficking, Destruction, and Institutional Protection of Cultural Property.” sites.google.com/view/rutgers...
In an article published by the Associated Press on March 12, 2026, USCBS President, Patty Gerstenblith, comments on #culturalproperty protection during the current conflict and the importance of language surrounding rules of engagement: apnews.com/article/unes... #CPP
Damage to historical sites in Iran raises alarm about war's impact on protected places
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have damaged at least four cultural and historical sites across Iran.
apnews.com
In an article published March 10, @museumsassociation.org highlights the statements of heritage organizations regarding #culturalproperty protection during conflict in Iran, the Gulf region, and the Eastern Mediterranean: uscbs.org/museums-asso... #CPP #culturalheritage
Museums Association Highlights the Statements of Heritage Organizations Regarding CPP During Conflict in Iran - US Committee of the Blue Shield
uscbs.org