Resources Just For You: A Tour of Preservation Leadership Forum

By National Trust Staff | From Forum Bulletin | May 17, 2012 |

As leaders of the preservation movement, you need quick and reliable access to current information on a range of issues—from new legislation to sustainable practices, and from fundraising to legal issues. In today’s age of endless information, the National Trust strives to give you the specific resources that you need to do your work in preservation.

And so, the National Trust has created a website just for preservation leaders.

Here’s What You Can Expect:

First of all, there is a new URL: www.PreservationLeadershipForum.org. This will take you to a new homepage designed specifically for leaders in the preservation movement—professionals, students, volunteers, activists, experts.

Once there you can choose among four categories: Sustainable Communities, Saving a Place, Law and Policies, and Economics of Revitalization. As you explore each of the four categories, you will see familiar pages with the same information, tools, and resources that you rely on. Over the next few months we will embark on a systematic update of all the material in each category. But be assured that much of the content will remain the same, with new updates and revisions added as needed.

So far so good? Then let’s take a quick tour!

What’s in a Name?

Since this new website is the portal for all content of interest to leaders in the preservation movement, it has been renamed Preservation Leadership Forum. The full range of resources available to preservation leaders (both Forum member and non-member) will be available on the Preservation Leadership Forum website.

As a Forum member, however, you will still have exclusive access to Forum Online and all of the benefits available to members. Read on to find out how to access your members-only content.

Navigating the Site: Memberships, Information Center, Resources

Looking for Forum Online, the National Main Street Center, or Partners Central? Go to the Memberships tab to reach those special, members-only resources.

Looking for information on saving a historic barn? Want the latest Green Lab report? Go to the Info Center tab to find the resources, case studies, and tools on topics such as historic districts, preservation law, federal tax credits. To help you navigate this wealth of information, the Info Center has been organized into four broad categories with links between categories when appropriate. Since much of the information that you rely on will be found in these four sections, let’s look at each one more closely:

  • Sustainable Communities: Here you will find information on how preservation contributes to sustainable buildings and neighborhoods, and access the latest research on environmental sustainability.
  • Saving a Place:  Look here for tools, case studies, strategies and models for preserving specific places such as historic buildings, districts, and landscapes. 
  • Law and Policy: Go here to get information on legal protections available for preservationists along with key policies (and current campaigns) for advocacy.
  • Economics of Revitalization: Find information about heritage tourism, historic tax credits, and other data that support the economic benefits of historic preservation.

Looking for information on National Trust funding programs, the Career Center, the National Preservation Awards, or upcoming conferences and trainings? Go to the Resources tab to get updates and current information on preservation happenings and opportunities.

Search Me!

Can’t find a tool or a resource? Try the search bar. As pages are updated and “rehabbed” some items may move around. Your best friend in this situation is the search box; it will help you quickly locate that information.

Can I Keep Using www.preservationnation.org/forum?

The URL for Forum Online is still www.preservationnation.org/forum, but if you find yourself on www.PreservationLeadershipForum.org, simply click on “Memberships,” then “Forum,” and you’ll find your way to the Forum homepage. That’s also where you’ll find the homepage for the Main Street Center and Partners Central.

Can I Still Go to PreservationNation.org?

Sure! Preservationnation.org still remains a great place for information of interest to the general preservationist. Here you will find preservation success stories, background on the National Trust, our current projects, and opportunities to take action to save historic places. From preservationnation.org you can return to Preservation Leadership Forum by clicking on “What We Do" and selecting "Preservation Leadership Forum" from the dropdown menu.

This new site will continue to evolve over the next few months. If there is anything you would like to see, can’t find, or need as a resource, contact the Forum Reference Desk using the button on Preservation Leadership Forum homepage or at forum_online@nthp.org.