Global Geoparks around the world
Geoparks are set up and managed by a local community and there are more than 150 Geoparks worldwide. Every community is different and so every Geopark is different but we all share a common aim which is to tell the story of our landscape and make it accessible to visitors. This in turn helps to bring resources into sensitive rural areas, creating jobs and supporting small businesses. Global Geoparks are a UNESCO designation celebrating internationally significant geological heritage to encourage Sustainable Development through geotourism and cultural tourism.
What is a Geopark?
Many of Earth’s most spectacular and interesting landscapes contain small, remote communities who often have a very special connection with the land. Often these distinct landscapes are formed by underlying geology that is specific to the area and of major international importance. If you live in one of these remote areas jobs, housing and services can be hard to come by and so it can be difficult for families to put down roots.
In 1998 UNESCO launched an initiative which recognised these challenges but also the very great potential for communities to take pride in and promote their landscapes for tourism. They called this initiative ‘Geoparks’.
On 17 November 2015, the 195 Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks, during the 38th General Conference of the Organisation. This expresses governmental recognition of the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner. UNESCO Global Geoparks enjoy the same level of recognition as World Heritage Sites. Find out more here.
Listen to more here.
Geoparks are about much more than just about geology! The bedrock and geological process form an intricate web between archaeology, wildlife and habitats, history, folklore and culture and Geoparks seek to explain the connections and tell their stories. Doing this will help connect visitors with the region, allowing them to linger longer and benefit the local economy. Eventually this helps to create new jobs and increase the need for new businesses whilst at the same time encouraging a deep understanding of our environment and its care.
What do they do?
Geoparks are set up by a local community to manage geological sites and landscapes with the Geopark approach of protection, education and sustainable development. Through a partnership
with the local community, Geoparks share a common goal to tell the story of the landscape and make it accessible to visitors from primary school to research science and beyond.
Promotion of the unique geology gives local people an added sense of pride in their region and strengthens their identification with the area. By working with communities, Geoparks bring essential new ‘Geotourism’ to sensitive rural areas, stimulating local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses. This in turn protects the geological resources of the area with raised local and visitor awareness, and increased local economic value of ‘Geotourism’.
“The Grand Canyon couldn’t be a UNESCO Global Geopark, because there are no people living in it!” – David MacLeod, Chair, Melness, Tongue & Skerray community council.
