Around the world, the amount of land being burned in wildfires is declining and human activity is largely the cause, scientists say. According to a new study, out Thursday in the journal Science, global burned area has declined by nearly a quarter in the past two decades. The surprisingdecreaseoccurred largely as agriculture has expanded and intensified throughout the world, taking over many of the natural areas where wildfires commonly occur.

While many recent studies have suggested that climate change will cause longer and more intense fire seasons in certain parts of the world recent research has suggested that its been making wildfires in the western United Statesmore intense for decades the new study indicates thathuman land-use changes also have a significant impact on when and where fires occur. In many places, the influence of human land use is simply just stronger than the climate signal, said the new studys lead author,Niels Andela, a research scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center.

This work highlights how humans can shape global fire regimes,David Bowman, a global wildfire expert and professor of environmental-change biology at the University of Tasmania who was not involved with the research, said in an email. Realistically factoring in humans into global climate change and global carbon dynamic projections has always been difficult, and this work demonstrates that this difficulty must be more thoroughly addressed to create plausible scenarios of Earth system change.

The researcherscame to their conclusions by analyzing satellite data on burned area across the planet between 1998 and 2015. During this period, they found that burned area declined about 24 percent an enormous area, according to Andela with much of the decrease occurring in the worlds grasslands and savannas.

The researchers alsoused a model to investigate the effectof factors such as precipitation and human activities on the global fire patterns. They found that precipitation had little influenceon the long-term decline in global burned area but human activity, and particularly agriculture, was a strong driver.

In some places, particularly tropical forest landscapes, the researchers found that agricultural activity was actually associated with an increase in fires, probably as a result of agricultural waste burning or deforestation to make room for cropland. But these increases were outweighed by the areas whereagriculture was associated with a reduction in burned area, mainly in grassland and savanna landscapes, where theres less biomass available to burn and where fire may be less necessary as a land-clearing or management tool.

The researchers found that fire reductions were particularly pronounced in placeswith greater socioeconomic development and higher investment in their pastures and croplands. Wealthier areas maybe less inclined to risk their crops, livestock, homes and infrastructure by using fire as a management tool, the researchers suggest, and the people living in these places also may be less likely to accept the poor air quality caused by smoke from wildfires. In fact, they may begin to employ fire suppression tactics to prevent natural wildfires from occurring.

These global fire reductions may come with pros and cons, the researchers note. For one thing, fire is a natural elementof manyecosystems life cycles, helping to recycle nutrients, regulate competition amongtypes of plants and make space for new growth. So suppressingwildfires can actually have a negative impact on a landscapes vegetation and biodiversity.

On the other hand, the researchers note that a reduction in fire also comes witha declinein the carbon emissions it produces, which could be helpful in the fight against climate change. That said, theres the potential that the carbon releasedby the land conversion and agricultural expansion driving these declines may actually offset the reduction infire emissions. A great deal more research will be necessary before scientists can say for sure how all of these changes are affecting the global carbon cycle, Andela said.

And Bowman, the University of Tasmania scientist, also pointed out that this study should not be construed as suggesting the global wildfire crisis is being resolved. Even while burned area is declining on a global scale, human management techniques such as starting fires where they dont belong and suppressing them where they might otherwise naturally occur may actually be priming many landscapes for more-extreme wildfires in the future. Fire suppression, in particular, can sometimes lead to an overabundance of dry fuel in certain areas, and these unburned spacesmay eventually burn ferociously under hotter and drier conditions expected by climate change, Bowman suggested.

Andela also added that overall I wouldnt describe our findings as being a positive thing for the Earth system or global ecosystems. The spread of agriculture and the decrease in natural burning, particularly in grassland ecosystems worldwide, is indicative ofthe profound changes taking place in these natural landscapes, he said.

Thedisappearance of fire from those ecosystemsreally symbolizeshow we are using these last wildernessesof the Earth, he said.

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Scientists find a surprising result on global wildfires: They're actually burning less land - Washington Post

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Euro-clearing land grabbers can still return under a new name Financial News (subscription) Maybe the EU27 will recognise that if they try to grab business from the City on the back of Brexit they will shoot themselves in the foot. Maybe there really is a chance of a deal that preserves much of the City's access to EU markets in return for ...

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Euro-clearing land grabbers can still return under a new name - Financial News (subscription)

Washington: The US state department has issued the necessary license for the export of 22 predator Guardian drones to India, a government source here said, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump had their first bilateral meeting at the White House.

The state department has "issued the DSP-5 Guardian export licence" for India, the source told PTI. A DSP-5 category licence is issued for permanent export of military hardware as found in the US Munitions List, which is defined by the International Traffic Arms Regulations.

The Guardian drones will enhance India's maritime surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean region and their sale was announced by Trump on 26 June after he met Modi for their first face-to-face meeting.

The deal is one of the key takeaways from the Narendra Modi-Donald Trump meet in Washington last month. PTI file image

The drones are estimated to cost around $2 billion and are being built by General Atomics, considered a pioneer in the unmanned aerial vehicles domain. The speed with which the Trump administration decided on India's request for the drones, the source said, is reflective of the desire in White House to strengthen India's military capabilities in the Indo-Asia Pacific region, where China's aggressive diplomatic and military posture has unnerved other countries.

"We are extremely pleased that Trump and Modi have had excellent deliberations and the path forward for a game-changer in US-India defence relations has been charted," said Vivek Lall of General Atomics.

Lall, who in his previous capacity at Boeing, was instrumental in the sale of high-tech military hardware to India, is believed to have played a role in convincing the Trump administration to accelerate the sale of the drones. "Given the Sea Guardian's capabilities, such a response to the Indian Navy's request demonstrates a major change in US policy as this type of aircraft capability is only exported to a very select few of America's closest defence partners," he said.

"This represents tangible implementation of US Congress' designation of India as a 'Major Defence Partner'," said Lall.

On Tuesday, Lall met US vice-president Mike Pence on the sidelines of the annual US-India Business Council summit, when Pence endorsed the deal to provide India with Apache attack helicopters, C-17 transport aircraft, besides the drones. The deal is seen as the biggest tangible takeaway from the Trump-Modi meeting towards the operationalisation of the major defence partner relationship.

The Indian Navy requested for the drones early last year. But no tangible action was taken under the previous Obama administration, apparently because of the stiff opposition from the state department, which argued that this could upset Pakistan, America's ally in war against terror in Afghanistan.

The Trump White House spearheaded the inter-agency process to make a significant policy change in favour of India by granting this technology based on government-to-government interactions, the source told PTI.

India had been eyeing the Predator technology for years, and it was only the Trump-Modi combination that they were able to move the decision to this point, the source said. Pakistan is said to be actively lobbying Washington against the sale of the drones to India. However, the White House overruled all objections, paving the way for a new phase of India-US defence relationship.

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US clears decks for export of 22 predator Guardian drones to India; will help maritime surveillance - Firstpost

THE winner of this years Young Landscape Architect Award, Siti Maisarah Salahudin, hopes to be a role model and inspire young landscape architects, especially women, to further contribute to the profession and the community.

The award was presented to Siti Maisarah, 35, at the 9th Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards organised by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) in April in conjunction with World Landscape Architecture month.

Im passionate about landscape architecture because it is all about engaging people with spaces. I want to change the common perception that landscape architecture is about planting trees, and that landscape architects are glorified gardeners.

I find this offensive, because our scope is beyond that.

As stewards of the land, we design the landscape by taking into consideration all aspects to create a conducive living environment, which strikes the right balance between the natural and built environment for the people, said Siti Maisarah, who is an associate with Walrus Designs Sdn Bhd.

ILAM is Malaysias national professional association for landscape architects.

It aims to raise the visibility of the profession to larger audiences and promote the role of landscape architects in the outdoor built environment, through activities, seminars, conferences, awards and public awareness campaigns.

Siti Maisarah received her degree in Landscape Architecture from Universiti Putra Malaya (UPM) in 2006. She has 10 years of work experience with a range of landscape companies under her belt, including Walrus Design Sdn Bhd and Tropicana Corporation Berhad.

She has been involved in high-end projects, including hotels, townships, commercial, institutional and residential projects and parks.

As president of UPMs Alumni Club of the Faculty of Design and Architecture (Kasel), she spearheaded the publication of a book, titled 35 Landscape Architects Entrepreneurs to showcase the alumnis achievements and inspire other landscape architects.

To be a career woman, wife and mother of two, is no easy task. My early career was the toughest for me. There were never-ending deadlines, work and family responsibilities which consumed a lot of time.

I still regret not having spent enough time with my late father because I was too busy working, and seldom had time to balik kampung.

It is important to strike the right balance between your personal and work life.

Never ever give up, and strive to do your best. Before you step into the reality of working life, you need to be mentally prepared for whatever challenges you might face in the future.

Remember, every profession has its own challenges.

Another landscape architect, Nurulhuda Hayati Ibrahim, 52, said there were more women architects today than before.

To be successful in this field, you must have the right mindset and work attitude.

If you are eager to work hard and are receptive to learning on the job while working on projects, you will improve greatly on other skills and techniques that textbooks cannot teach you.

The hands-on experience of working in a team will allow you to interact better with different parties, involved in the execution of a project, she said.

The principal landscape architect and owner of Landskap has been in the industry for 21 years and has been involved in many landscape architectural projects, in the public and private sectors.

They include Taman Putra Perdana, Putrajaya, Commonwealth Hill Park at Kompleks Sukan Negara and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

When she first started out as a landscape architect in the early 1990s, Malaysia was recovering from the 1988 recession and the landscape architecture industry was in its infancy.

After completing my masters and bachelors degrees in landscape architecture in Harvard Graduate School of Design and Utah State University in 1990 and 1988, I asked a friend how the job situation was at home.

She told me to be prepared to knock on doors for employment.

I was lucky that I didnt have to wait long before a company offered me a job.

My first pay cheque was for RM1,400.

I considered myself lucky because some graduates were forced to work for RM900 just to earn an income.

But by 1993, things had started to pick up.

After working for a year with her employer, some colleagues invited her to join them to start their own company.

It was a steep learning curve; something I wouldnt advise a newly-qualified person to do in a hurry.

Take at least three or four years to work for a mentor, because when you first start out, you will be making so many mistakes along the way.

Learn from the mistakes before starting your own firm.

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'Landscape architects are not glorified gardeners' - New Straits Times Online

MILFORD, Pa. A unique look at the early 20th century landscape design and vision at Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pa., will be the focus of a free lecture and walk on July 8, beginning at 4 p.m.

Reservations are suggested as seating is limited.

Author and landscape architect Bibi Gaston will present the lecture "Cornelia Pinchots Farm to Table: Birds, Bees and Guernseys." She will include a discussion of various landscape features on the estate grounds, including apiaries, plantings, stonework, cows and game birds. The lecture will begin at 4 p.m. in the tented Pool Terrace behind the mansion.

At 5:30 p.m. Gaston will lead a brief walk about the grounds, pointing out some of the landscape features that will be discussed in her program.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided by the Grey Towers Heritage Association and there will be an opportunity to meet with Gaston. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for uneven terrain.

Cornelia Pinchot began making changes to the landscape surrounding the Grey Towers mansion after 1914, when she married Gifford Pinchot, conservationist and two-term governor of Pennsylvania. Today some of her landscape designs are the most popular features at the National Historic Site.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 570-296-9625 or send an email to info@greytowers.org.

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Farm to Table: Explore the landscape at Grey Towers - Times Herald-Record

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS AVERTED

June 26, 2017 by LAM Staff

For Alaskas Anan Wildlife Observatory, Suzanne Jackson designs around the attraction: bears.

Suzanne Jackson spent nearly 30 years as a landscape architect at the Aspen, Colorado, office of Design Workshop, channeling her passion for backcountry hiking into habitat restoration and open space preservation. But it was when Jackson reconnected with her former colleague Barth Hamberg that things began to get, well, wild. Hamberg manages the landscape architecture program for Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska, the largest national forest in the nation. In 2014, he offered Jackson a two-year post.

Jackson was charged with creating a master plan for the Anan Wildlife Observatory, which is located on a remote peninsula in Tongasss Wrangell district and accessible only by boat or floatplane. Its a steeply sloping temperate rain forest of spruce, hemlock, and huckleberries, and the pools and waterfalls of Anan Creek support one of the regions largest pink salmon runs. That means a lot of hungry predators gathering to feast: black bears, grizzlies (called brown bears locally), eagles, and otters, to name just a few. That biodiversity has been a tourism magnet for decades, and helps support the economies of two small towns in the area: Wrangell and Ketchikan.

But access and safety both are issues, because many visitors arent particularly nimble. Jacksons job was to employ her design background to both enhance their experience and keep them from falling off trails or coming nose to snout with bears.

Among the problems were the raised wooden boardwalks. Constant moisture made for slippery footing, which is a hazard as well as a distraction. As Jacksons master plan points out, hikers often feel unsteady and unable to focus on the surrounding environment. Instead, Jackson recommended using crushed rock where the terrain is suitable, to provide a firmer, safer walking experience, she says.

The regions drastic tidal shifta difference of up to 20 feet in some placesalso complicated the arrival experience. If a boat or floatplane came in at high tide, visitors were greeted with stairs. If they arrived at mid- or low tide, they had to navigate jagged rocks. That trailhead area already was slated for improvements when Jackson began, but the plan points out that the changing water line even makes construction difficult, because materials and machinery cant be easily off-loaded during low tide.

And then, of course, there were the bears. During Jacksons tenure, the landscape architecture team had called in ecologists to map the animals routes and foraging areas in another part of Tongass, and the plan recommends a similar study at Anan. One section was particularly worrisome; it grazed a tight corner that hikers couldnt see around, which could lead to a person and a bear coming into sudden and startling contact. Line of view for approaching bears is very important, Jackson says. Reconstruction of that so-called pinch point is listed as one of several critical projects to be completed between 2017 and 2030.

Besides creating safe passage, Jacksons goal was to convey the value of nature and hopefully foster a sense of stewardship, as well as tourism. In Alaska, she says, [tourism] is seen as a benefit to the economy, a way to move away from other things like taking down old-growth forests or mining.

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CLOSE ENCOUNTERS AVERTED | Landscape Architecture ... - Landscape Architecture Magazine

Edmond has amended its landscaping ordinance. A professional landscape designer is required during the planning process. [PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN]

EDMOND Urban Forestry Commission members have been working since 2012 to amend the city's landscaping ordinance to be more flexible and, hopefully, eliminate crowding caused by too many required trees, shrubs and other plants.

The forestry commission discussed the landscape ordinance 25 times and the landscape code subcommittee of the forestry commission met more than 17 times to craft the revisions. A workshop on the ordinance was held in 2016.

Planning commissioners and Development Impact Review Committee members also worked on the 60-plus-page document.

Their efforts were completed this week when the city council unanimously approved the amended ordinance that will take effect Jan. 1.

There is the same amount of area to be landscaped, it is just not as dense, said Ryan Ochsner, green infrastructure planner. With crowding of the trees and plants, you have the risk of losing not just one plant but both plants.

Basically, we wanted to fix the issues we found in the code. We wanted something that was enforceable.

The goals included increasing preservation of trees and of the Cross Timbers Ecosystem, to fix issues in the current code, to improve enforceability, and ensure long-term health and viability of the trees, said City Planning Director Randy Entz.

One of the biggest changes is that landscaping discussions will begin earlier in the planning process and proposed designs will come from a professional landscape architect.

In the end, we believe it will be a better product, Ochsner said.

Former Mayor Dan O'Neil campaigned against the amended ordinance, claiming the new code provided fewer standards, particularly along the Interstate-35 corridor.

O'Neil, a member of Edmond Beautiful, was part of a committee nearly 20 years ago that created the I-35 corridor standard for Edmond.

We hammered it out for a year, O'Neil said. We wanted to encourage a pleasant driving experience. We want to be different from Oklahoma City. We wanted to make sure what we had was something special.

The amended ordinance reduced the number of plant units from 40 to 30 along the interstate.

Much of the work done in this section was to address struggles regularly faced with the existing code, while focusing on the objectives of the district, Ochsner said. All other plant unit requirements are reduced, but remain higher than the general standards.

Mayor Charles Lamb said when the I-35 corridor code was written it started with 30 plant units in September 1998, but was increased to 40 in 2005.

That is not a different plant unit now than when we started, Lamb said.

When a project has more parking spaces than the code requires, the amended landscape ordinance will require 15 trees for each four spaces over the regulated number. The current ordinance used a sliding scale that made it difficult to include all the required plantings.

The purpose to this is to shift the focus to landscape that provides a value, Ochsner said. "It has been a real challenge. It has been an absolute struggle."

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Rules on how to landscape have changed in Edmond - NewsOK.com

Neighbors on Nantuckets eastern end have more than faded red chinos and a desirable zip code in common; many have landscape artist Marty McGowan, too. For 43 years, McGowan has designed some of the islands coveted properties helping to shape Nantuckets signature yin-yang of natural beauty, with elements like teeming bunches of hydrangeas and roses spilling over picket fences, along with the manicured European elegance of topiaries and imposing privacy hedges. But its the unexpected that sets his work apart, and that comes from a lifetime of study and observation both on and off the island.

I tell clients, whatever the earth will allow me to do I will do that for you, says McGowan, who is not a purist about native species but instead focuses on creating artistry and whimsy for his clients' gardens.

McGowan's Landscaping at Greydon House.

Photo: Douglas Friedman

For Nantuckets Greydon House hotel , a new 20-room inn off Main Street, McGowan worked with Manhattan interior designers Roman and Williams to create abundant gardens and window boxes that speak to the spirit of the hotel, its nautical roots, and Nantuckets worldly past.

We had a strong connection with Marty from the beginning and bonded over his idea of mixing vegetables, herbs, and flowers in Greydon Houses flower boxes and gardens," says Robin Standefer, principal and cofounder of Roman and Williams. "That intentionally unexpected variety became the foundation of our overall design inspiration for the project."

McGowan's Landscaping at Greydon House.

Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Friedman

Working to compliment the hotels interior color palette, he used plants from Germany, Asia, the Caribbean islands, and Portugal, including unusual black grasses from Florida, German geraniums, and a blue succulent that resembles ocean flora. McGowan created a landscape that reflects the life of a well-traveled sea captain like the one who might have lived in the hotels 1850s Greek Revival house.

No wonder the designers known for creating narrative hotel environments would find a kinship in McGowan. He is likely the only gardener whose farm was inspired by an abstract painting by artist Paul Klee. Pumpkin Pond Farm , his organic farm and nursery, complements the landscape-design business, providing produce for many of the islands top restaurants, and welcoming guests for tours and tastings like his annual heirloom Tomato Festival in August. McGowan planned the farms plants and vegetable fields by color to resemble Klees Cubist landscape Highways and Byways from 1929. Mica stone pavers, like the ones that paved historic Nantucket streets, bisect the center of the farm.

The "hydrangea park" at Pumpkin Pond Farm.

Photo: Courtesy of Marty McGowan

McGowan was exposed to art early by his mother, a master weaver with a masters degree in art. He gained a practical understanding of working the land from his grandfather who owned a 10-acre farm near his Rochester home. A chance invitation from a friend brought McGowan to the island for the month of August 1966 and for several other Augusts of his youth. When McGowan was old enough, he spent summers on Nantucket working for people like Earl Coffin, a gardener and descendant of an original English settler to Nantucket, who tended to the gardens of old-Nantucket families. Coffin shared his wisdom, which McGowan parlayed into his own business, called Sconset Gardener.

Moving to Nantucket allowed me to create my own identity and be creative from the beginning, says McGowan.

Today McGowans work takes him all over the world, researching at international conferences and events such as the Chelsea Flower Show , and working on Nantucket clients other homes in places like Mexico, California, Florida, Washington, and Boston.

The "Walk of Thyme" and "Apian Way" at Pumpkin Pond Farm.

Photo: Courtesy of Marty McGowan

Nantucket has a unique climate that allows for beautiful gardens, McGowan says, People come here and they see it and theyre enchanted. They want to have a beautiful garden, too.

McGowan credits his success to observing mother nature on the island. He spends much of his free time walking the paths and trails through undeveloped parts of Nantucket, which comprises nearly 60 percent of the island. His favorite is the walk past Miacomet Beach to Lady Beach for a swim at sunset or hiking along the paths at Hummock Pond and Sanford Farm through the woods and moors to the sea. It always gives me the sense of knowing Im in the right place.

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This Is the Landscape Architect Nantucket's Elite Have on Speed Dial - Architectural Digest

There are essentially two types of log home stains available on the market today:

Oil based (Alklyd) Log Home Stain

Widely Available, Wood grain visibility, UV Protection, Non Porous, Easy application

Trap Moisture, Brittle, Can't Breathe, Weather Quickly, Coat build-up over time, Blistering if moisture is present behind finish, High Maintenance

Latex based Solid Color Log Home Stain

Widely available, Breathable, Flexible, Durable, High UV Protection, Porous, Easy application, Low maintenance, Long life

Won't prevent decay if conditions are favorable, Short Shelf Life

Semitransparent Acrylic Latex based Log Home Stain

Widely available, Breathable, Flexible, Durable, High UV Protection, Wood grain visibility, Porous, Low maintenance, Long life

More difficult to apply than oil based stains and solid color stains, Short Shelf Life

Log Home Varnishes

Allows for natural look of logs, Widely available

High maintenance, prone to Cracking, Peeling and Blistering, Requires recoating every 1-2 years, Partial UV protection

Oil based Semitransparent Log Home Stains

Penetrates into wood, Wood grain visibility, Breathable, High UV protection

Perform best on roughsawn, weathered, or course textured wood, Compatibility issues with most log home sealants due to waxes found in most penetrating finishes, Doesn't have a furniture grade finish look (dull), must apply second coat before first coat dries in order for stain to penetrate wood

So we have all this helpful information on the types of log home stains but which log home stain is the best?

It is hard to say which one is the absolute best because there are many factors that ultimately decide how well or long a log home stain will perform. Some of these factors are:

Of these factors none are more important than proper surface preparation of the logs before applying a log home stain. If the surface of the logs have not been prepped properly none of these log home stains will perform as they state they will. This is why it is important to only hire a qualified log home restoration expert to work on your log home! They will have the knowledge and expertise to work with the products available in the log home market currently. This will ensure your investment is protected well into the future.

While we cant say which log home stain is the overall best, we can recommend which type of log home finishes we feel perform exceptionally well and keep maintenance costs down throughout the years. This only holds true if proper surface preparation is kept in mind before and during any finish or sealant application. In our opinion, film - forming, latex based waterborne log home finishes such as PermaChink are best bang for your buck!

While PermaChink finishes aren't the cheapest out there they seem to require the least amount of maintenance based on our 22+ years of experience restoring log homes and log cabins of all sizes and shapes. They also offer an unmatched 5 year warranty on their log home stains when applied properly and maintained accordingly.

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Types of Log Home Stains - logcabinrestorationservices.com

Posted: Jun. 28, 2017 10:50 am

QUINCY -- Establishing a facade program for residential properties is a request that Quincy Preserves has received during the last several years.

Quincy Preserves President Vicki Ebbing said the organization not only has received requests from homeowners but also has fielded inquiries about programs to help make exterior improvements to historic residences.

"It's an ongoing process for anybody that owns an older home," Ebbing said.

They will now have options. Quincy Preserves announced at its annual picnic last week that it is starting the Private Home Facade Renovation Funding Program to offer $1,000 matching grants to restore period architectural design details and characteristics of building facades, as well as correcting property maintenance code violations relating to the building facade.

"After seeing the demolition of the 421 Jersey building, we decided that we needed to do something to help prevent that sort of thing from happening, where the building slides to the point where people demolish it," Ebbing said. "We've come up with this program to hopefully circumvent that in the future."

Quincy Preserves has offered a commercial facade program in downtown Quincy for many years. Properties that have benefited from the program are 648 Maine, 111 Jail Alley, 833 Kentucky and 117 Hampshire.

The organization also has a donation program through which it helps nonprofits with historic buildings, such as the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County with the History Museum at 332 Maine, the Quincy Museum at 1601 Maine and Villa Kathrine at 532 Gardner Expressway.

The new program is restricted to private homes within Quincy historic districts -- the East End, the Northwest, the German, the Downtown, the Zwick Row, Brewery Area and the South Side Bungalow historic districts. However, other significant historical architectural residences outside the district may be considered by the Facade Committee and the Quincy Preserves Board of Directors.

The grant must be matched and will be made annually until the program's budget is depleted each year.

To participate in the program, homeowners must be paid members of Quincy Preserves for at least 12 months prior to the date of their applications. The residences must have been constructed between 1830 and 1950, and funding can't be used for roof repairs.

Priority preference will be given to applicants who agree in writing to open their homes for one of the Quincy Preserves Tours after the work is finished. The revenue from the tours helps support the grant program

Preference will also be given to Quincy Preserves plaqued structures and properties that have been made local landmarks by the Quincy Preservation Commission or the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Applications will be available at the Quincy Preserves' website, as well as at the Preservation Commission office at 706 Maine.

For additional information on the program, visit quincypreserves.org, email info@quincypreserves.org or contact Ebbing at 217-257-9909.

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Quincy Preserves launches new program to assist private home facade restoration - Herald-Whig