We at the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by the recent wildfires in California. Our hearts go out to all those affected during this difficult time.
Among the devastation, we mourn the damage and loss suffered by important cultural landmarks, which are irreplaceable treasures of our shared heritage. These sites connect us to our history, identity, and community.
We also wish to commend those who took proactive measures to safeguard cultural properties and we look forward to learning as much as possible from their success stories as we consider ways we can assist institutions in the future with emergency preparedness.
USCBS remains committed to advocating for the protection of cultural heritage and supporting efforts to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Together, we must prioritize the safeguarding of our shared history to ensure it endures for future generations.
Latest News & Alerts
August 7, 2026
USCBS and American University's Washington College of Law are excited to announce that registration is now open for "The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield at Twenty: Two Decades of Protecting Cultural Heritage in Peril," our annual [...]
August 5, 2026
With many states failing to include cultural heritage in their dedicated wildfire planning frameworks, UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) conducted the first ever national assessment of wildfire risk to American [...]
July 31, 2026
On Wednesday, July 29, the Field Museum announced the creation of the Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law, a new endowed, two-year fellowship in honor of Dr. Patty Gerstenblith. We are [...]
