Los Angeles Conservancy

Target demographics: Los Angeles County residents

Programs: Education: the los angeles conservancy utilizes hands-on activities to increase awareness of the value of los angeles county's rich architectural and cultural heritage, which strengthens communities, fosters economic development, and enriches lives. Approximately 340 active volunteer docents and 17 staff members provide education and training in current preservation issues to 6,500 members and the public at large. Education programs include downtown architectural walking tours, comprised of eight different weekly tours for approximately 11,000 participants annually; lectures for the youth outreach program, and the last remaining seats film series, which draws more than 13,000 people annually to view classic films in historic movie palaces.

advocacy: the conservancy works with developers to provide effective alternatives to demolition or neglect of architecturally and historically significant properties by promoting their preservation and rehabilitation. The organization effectively partners with local agencies, governments, neighborhoods and residents to preserve historic properties, including sponsoring or co-sponsoring workshops on topics such as how to nominate a historic place for local landmark designation. In 2014, the conservancy took direct action to help preserve 64 threatened historic places; provided technical assistance to 250 callers; provided support to six neighborhoods seeking historic district designation; and released the 2014 preservation report card, assessing the state of preservation policy in 89 jurisdictions in los angeles county, working with eight communities to help them improve their score.

outreach: the conservancy has a robust communications program, which includes a print newsletter for members published 6x/year, e-news published 12x/year (with 33,000 current subscribers) and advocacy and event news sent as needed to inform and educate members and other interested parties about current advocacy efforts. Communications efforts include a strong, easy-to-use website (www. Laconservancy. Org), and a well-regarded, growing social media presence with more than 20,000 likes on facebook, more than 10,000 followers on twitter and more than 3,000 followers on instagram. Efforts throughout the year to increase membership and provide more advocates for the preservation of los angeles' architectural and cultural resources.