Sample Essay On Heritage Practices

History grounds people; giving them a reference point to base their future. Preservation of historic sites is a crucial endeavor. Some of the activities to preserve these sites entails the formation of groups that maintain heritage sites. For example, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The preservation duty extends to the public as well, who form community-based centennial projects that restore historical buildings. These institutions and tools coupled with widespread public awareness, enable conservation efforts to succeed. There are also University programmes that train students in a multidisciplinary field to appreciate conservation management efforts.
In the conservation effort, each has a role. The government is at the forefront with policy formulation and implementation through its various agents on the ground. It uses the skills of experts in the field to spread public awareness and educate the public on their role in heritage conservation. The process occurs at all levels from international to municipal. The government develops laws, designs programmes, encourages conservation efforts and spearheads all endeavors. Citizen efforts are crucial as well. They engage in community sponsored programmes, spread awareness to other members of the public and contribute to conservation efforts. They also identify places of historical or cultural relevance and report them to the bodies in charge of their preservation. Public participation is invaluable, and through the people working together with the government, the conservation efforts get a boost.
The practice of the top-down approach in conservation efforts manifests through government formulating and enforcing policies regardless of the human element. In my community, some regions have been set aside and put under strict protection limiting human interaction to maintain the natural order. The authorities isolate areas in a bid to leave them undisturbed. In the bottom-up approach, community inclusivity is necessary. Our opinions and interests factor into the conservation efforts. For example, the conservation of a historic structure in the community involves discussion between the public and the authorities on methods of conservation and education. Neither approach dominates the other given the interdependency between them. The government experts require the people’s knowledge and understanding to ensure effective conservation of the heritage sites.