FACET CONFERENCE 20 -21 May 2015

Perth WA

Geoparks  

Education, Science, Culture, Women and

Sustainable Development  

Gaia (pronounced ˈɡeɪ.əә/ from Ancient Greek "land" or "earth"; also Gaea or Gea, from Greek is the primal Greek titan personifying the Earth, the Greek version of "Mother Nature.

Grand Canyon, USA

Uluru, Australia

Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland

Geopark gatherings, people and lessons

Museums and Partners, English Riviera Geopark, UK

Muroto Geopark, Japan T Shirts

Pottery developed by Woman's Cooperative. Araripe Geopark, Brazil

  Geotourism is a form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on geology and landscape. It promotes tourism to Geosites and the conservation of geodiversity and an understanding of earth sciences through appreciation and learning. This is achieved through independent visits to geological features, use of Geotrails and view points, guided tours, geoactivities and patronage of geosite visitor centre.

  Prof Ross Dowling and Dr David Newsome 2010

  Geoparks are not just about rocks-they are about people. It is crucial that they get involved-we want to see as many people as possible getting out and enjoying the geology of the area. Our aim is to maximize Geotourism for the benefit of the local economy and to help people to understand the evolution of their local landscape."

  Chris Woodley-Stewart, Geopark Manager,   North Pennines AONB, United Kingdom

What is a Geopark. A Global Geopark is a unified area with geological heritage of international significance. Geoparks use that heritage to promote awareness of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live on. Many Geoparks promote awareness of geological hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis and many help prepare disaster mitigation strategies among local communities. Geoparks hold records of past climate change and are educators on current climate change as well as adopting a best practice approach to utilizing renewable energy and employing the best standards of “green tourism.”  Geoparks also inform about the sustainable use and need for natural resources, whether they are mined, quarried or harnessed from the surrounding environment while at the same time promoting respect for the environment and the integrity of the landscape. Geoparks are not a legislative designation though the key heritage sites within a Geopark should be protected under local, regional or national legislation as appropriate.  

 Beijing, China 2004  Belfast, Northern Ireland 2006  Osnabruck, Germany 2008  Langkawi, Malaysia 2010  Unzen, Japan 2012  St John Canada 2014  Torquay, England 2016

Global Geoparks Conferences

Geoparks in Australia

UNESCO Inspectors…. 2007 Kanawinka, Australia

Araripe Geopark, Brazil, Community Meeting

  Lushan, China 500 Square Kilometres   Vulkaneifel, Germany 1220 Square Kilometres   Copper Coast, Ireland 50 Square Kilometres   Tuscan Mining , Italy 1087 Square Kilometres   English Riviera , UK 104 Square Kilometres   Itoigawa, Japan 750 Square Kilometres   Forest Fawr, Wales 763 Square Kilometres

Geopark sizes

Forest Fawr Geopark, Wales

Education in Geoparks

Hong Kong, PR China and Dong Van, Vietnam

   

  IN SUMMARY

The important aspects of Geoparks are the links between the geology and the people, their stories, culture and history that build into a sustainable source of Geotourism, bring jobs to rural and indigenous people and in turn help protect sites of importance and promote geoheritage complementing the work of the local Government Bodies through partnering with all levels of governments and other relevant authorities..

 Thank you

 www.unesco.org.uk/Geoparks  www.globalgeopark.org  www.europeangeoparks.org  www.asiapacificgeoparks.org