Action

Become an Everyday Preservationist

The World Monuments Fund sends preservation experts to endangered sites all over the world, but there are things you can do closer to home to help to save the world's most treasured places.

• Adaptive reuse is one of the best ways to ensure that important sites are well cared for. Support businesses and organizations that are housed in historic structures.
• Uncontrolled tourism is one of the most urgent threats facing many important monuments. When you travel, help ease the strain on popular destinations by visiting at off hours or choosing alternative sites. Read more about how to travel sustainably.
• Traditional building methods are sometimes the best way to preserve historic structures. Support local craftspeople like stonemasons and woodworkers and help them pass on their knowledge to a new generation of apprentices.
• Insensitive urban development and demolition threatens sites all over the world. Encourage elected officials to protect sites that mean the most to your community with landmark designations and other incentives to protect them.
• Many endangered monuments simply do not have an advocate. Share a photo or a tell us about a trip you took. Each small step helps raise awareness about the importance of heritage preservation.