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Center for Cultural Landscape Preservation
Opportunities

Cultural Landscapes and Historic Preservation

There are many opportunities throughout the year for students to explore the practice of cultural landscape preservation (historic preservation applied to landscapes) through coursework, independent study, assistantships, and internships. Listed below are opportunities offered through the Center for Cultural Landscape Preservation, its partners, and other preservation organizations.

These opportunities can provide the knowledge and experience students need to address historic preservation as part of broader environmental, planning, and design practices. Undertaking site analysis, redesigning a streetscape, preparing an Environmental Assessment, rehabilitating a park with use of public funds, or having a client who desires to maintain historic character and sense of place are just some examples where preservation comes into play.

ESF Courses

Offered in Partnership with the National Park Service Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation.

LSA 581 - Cultural Landscapes and Historic Preservation - 3 credits, Spring Semester Elective

Note: Class previously titled "Cultural Landscape Preservation"

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:50 at 317 Marshall Hall

Instructor: John Auwaerter, Co-Director, SUNY ESF Center for Cultural Landscape Preservation Partner, National Park Service Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation

An introduction to historic preservation planning (heritage conservation), a multi-disciplinary practice that seeks to sustain physical resources in the environment that convey history and define a sense of place. The course focuses on the application of historic preservation to natural and cultural resources as embodied in landscapes. Five main topics are covered:

  1. Introduction to cultural landscapes and history of historic preservation as part of the American conservation movement;
  2. Historic preservation laws, regulations, policies, and incentive programs;
  3. Overview of advocacy organizations;
  4. Inventory and evaluation of historic resources using the National Register of Historic Places and National Park Service cultural landscape program methods; and
  5. Design guidelines for the treatment of historic resources using the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.

Weekly readings and a semester project are required. Fall. For more information please contact John Auwaerter:

Email: jeauwaer@esf.edu

LSA 670 - Thematic Landscape Design Studio - 6 credits, Spring Semester

Tuesday and Thursdays, 2-6:20 via Hybrid instruction

Eight and one-half hours of studio and one hour of lecture per week. Studio time devoted to demonstrations, exercises and projects. Content focuses on different themes, topics, and scales each year, traditionally addressing sub-disciplines in landscape architecture such as urban design, community design and planning, ecological design and restoration and cultural landscape preservation. Additional readings and a supplementary research/writing component. Spring. Prerequisite: LSA 423 or permission of instructor. Note: Credit will not be granted for both LSA 470 and LSA 670. 

Prerequisite: LSA 423 or permission of instructor. Note: Credit will not be granted for both LSA 470 and LSA 670. Students registered for this course will be charged a non-refundable $150 course fee.

Independent Study and Internship Opportunities

The Center receives requests from non-profits, private owners, and government agencies for assistance with managing their historic landscapes. These requests may offer ESF students with opportunities for paid or unpaid internships, or for independent study in the areas of historical research, historic landscape site analysis, and design and planning. The following are current sites that have contacted the Center for assistance.

To learn more about any of these opportunities, please contact: John Auwaerter at jeauwaer@esf.edu 

Designing the Parks Internship Program

park

The Center for Cultural Landscape Preservation has a long-standing history with the National Park Service Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. Every year, ESF students partake in the Designing the Park summer internship program, assisting park staff in examining opportunities to improve visitor experiences, while protecting and managing cultural and natural resources. Past opportunities include: Liberty Island, Flight 93 National Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Check out their current opportunities at Designing the Parks Internships

Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation Internship

olmsted center

The Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, part of the National Park Service offers internship positions throughout the year. These paid internships vary in duration and focus but are typically offered to graduating students and young professionals in landscape architecture, horticulture, historic preservation, history, GIS, or related fields, who seek professional experience in cultural landscape preservation.

Check out their current opportunities at The Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation

Center for Cultural Landscape Preservation Summer Internship

CCLP

The CCLP offers students summer internship positions working alongside the National Parks Service's Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation on various projects. Position and application instructions are circulated through the department email during the spring semester.

ESF Research Assistantship

e s f logo

Each year the Center for Cultural Landscape Preservation offers positions to work on funded research projects primarily through the National Parks Service. This is a year long assistantship for 10 hours per week and covers half of the student's tuition. Projects vary year to year. Applications for these assistantships are circulated the semester prior through the Landscape Architecture department's assistantship opportunities.

Local Areas of Focus

Oakwood Cemetery - Syracuse, NY

Oakwood Cemetery

Oakwood Cemetery, a 160-acre landmark was n 1859. It serves as a prime example of the mid-nineteenth century Rural Cemetery Movement. Oakwood is listed on the national register of historic places and is known as Syracuse's first public park, neighboring SUNY ESF's campus. There are many organizations and people working to support this time-less landscape, and you could too! One opportunity for independent study or internship could be connecting Oakwood into the City's Park Masterplan. The opportunities however, are endless.

Stone Quarry Hill Art Park - Cazenovia, NY

Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, with 104-acres of conserved land and over four miles of trails overlooks the breathtaking rural landscape of Cazenovia and Madison County. Inspired by the relationship between art and nature, the Art park provides a unique environment for the showcasing of art by emerging and established artists. Its mission is to educate and engage the public through exhibitions, collections, interpretation, and community outreach programs in the arts. Independent study or internship opportunities could contribute to the production of a Cultural Landscape Report, a document that can help preserve, maintain, and envision the Art Park for the future.

Barnes Mansion - Syracuse, NY

The Barnes Mansion

The Barnes Mansion, in Syracuse, NY was originally built in 1853 by George and Rebecca Barnes, ardent abolitionists. The Mansion is recognized by the National Park Service as an Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Independent study or internship opportunities for the Barnes Mansion could include preliminary research reviewing available historic information and a survey of the status of the grounds.