Preservation Maryland and Smart Growth Maryland will host a conference session on climate change and cultural heritage at this year’s Old Line State Summit in Frederick, Maryland. The session will provide a perspective from the local, county, and state level for planning for climate change.
Free Resource: Preservation Maryland is pleased to provide access to the presentations given at the Old Line State Summit.
SESSION SUMMARY
The session will outline the State of Maryland’s work related to climate change and cultural heritage and the resources available to communities interested in climate change planning for historic properties and archeological sites. It will also present the work of two communities:
- the Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation’s plan for the Fell’s Point neighborhood, and
- efforts by Calvert County to evaluate threats to architectural and archeological resources.
Topics will include the process of creating plans, how to approach the difficult decisions and conversations related to climate planning, and how to engage the community in these discussions. Bring your questions and stories from your communities to engage in a discussion of this important topic.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Kirsti Uunila
Historic Preservation Planner, RPA
Calvert County Planning & Zoning
Kirsti Uunila is the cultural resources planner for the Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning. She is responsible for review of all development that may affect historic and archaeological resources in the county and participates in planning efforts to identify, document, and preserve them—or to mitigate their loss when they can’t be protected. She earned an undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of Arizona and a Master of Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland in College Park. She is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).
Walter Gallas, AICP
Historic Preservation Planner
Baltimore City Department of Planning
Walter is a planner with the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation. He has worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission. He serves on the board of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. He holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of New Orleans.
Nell Ziehl
Chief, Office of Planning, Education and Outreach
Maryland Historical Trust
Nell Ziehl is the Maryland Historical Trust’s Chief of the Office of Planning, Education and Outreach, which includes the Maryland Heritage Areas program, local government assistance (preservation planning, hazard mitigation and climate adaptation), and public archeology. Prior to joining MHT, Nell was a field officer in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Southern Field Office and coordinator for the National Trust’s Save America’s Treasures program. She holds an undergraduate degree in Classical and Near Eastern archeology from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Georgia.