A Day of Culture & Heritage Action @ Climate Week NYC
Hosted by Heritage Adapts!
With partners World Monuments Fund & Preserving Legacies
Thursday, September 24, 9am - 6pm
This dedicated day for heritage at Climate Week NYC invites culture and heritage professionals, government officials, scientists, advocates, and partners to unite for a day of exchange and action, connecting local efforts to global impact. From a morning of closed working meetings to progress culture and heritage at COP31 to an afternoon of inspiration and networking with others on the mission to safeguard the places and practices their communities cherish most, we’ll explore the impacts of climate change on heritage, examples of locally led adaptation in action, opportunities for climate adaptation support, and how heritage can be a resource for community resilience and climate solutions.
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Schedule of Events
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Road to COP31 Working Meetings
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Closed Events
Heritage Adapts!
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Climate change is an urgent threat to heritage sites and cultural practices worldwide. With a strong El Niño forecast for 2026–27, the time is now to prioritize adaptation. Join culture and heritage professionals and organizations from the Heritage Adapts! global coalition to learn how you can take action to safeguard your heritage, with the support of free training, tools, and a global community. Stay for the Culture & Heritage @ Climate Week NYC Reception immediately after to meet others from the New York City area and around the world who are on the same mission. We adapt better together!
Welcome - Lisa Kersavage, Chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Moderator - Julianne Polanco, Preserving Legacies Senior Advisor
Panelist - Lucio Usobiaga, Founder of Arca Tierra, Iniciativa Agroecológica Xochimilco, and Baldio (Mexico City’s first Michelin green star restaurant!)
Panelist - Heritage Adapts! Türkiye Steward & "Culture at COP31" Coordinator
Panelist - Stephen Martin, Founder and Board President, Friends of the Ruin, Roosevelt Island, NYC
Keynote - Dr. Victoria Herrmann, Preserving Legacies Executive Director & National Geographic Explorer
Remarks - Ian Miller, Chief Science & Innovation Officer at National Geographic Society
Reception to Follow (see event below)
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Culture & Heritage @ Climate Week NYC Reception
4:30 - 6:00 PM
Meet, mingle, and network with fellow climate and heritage professionals from the New York area and around the world to celebrate a full day of culture and heritage and Climate Week NYC!
Our Leadership Partners
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