GEOCONSERVATION & GEOPARKS

Alexandru Andranu University of Bucharest, Romania Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09 1

90` - New words & new concepts

Geotop Geosite Geodiversity Geological heritage Geoconservation Geoeducation Geoparks

The Stein Family - GeaNorvegica

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Geosciences perception in the broad society

Geosciences - just rocks boring!?

Geosciences play a pivotal role in the well being of people BUT - Almost absent in public perception; - Brilliant minds do not pursue geosciences as a career; - Does not even find a proper place in school curriculum...

Geosciences position in nature conservation activities

1992 Rio Summit / Agenda 21 / Geosciences play a pivotal role in the well being of people it does not rank high in the eyes of the society. Policy makers and bureaucrats make wrong decisions;
(IGEO Newsletter, no 1, Florenta, 2004);

Geoconservation - the forgotten half of the nature conservation (Sharples, 2002);

Important part of natural and cultural heritage to be protected
(Earth Memory Declaration - Digne declaration, 1992 )

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

National Parks

1909 Sarek and Padjelanta national Park The first National Park in Europe, North Lapland, Sweden

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

1976 MAB Man and Biosphere Reserves

1981, Greece, Mt Olymp, Biosphere reserve

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

The World Heritage Convention World Heritage List

Established in 1972 180 / 191 UN member states are signatories Governed by a Committee of 21 Members 166 natural sites from a total of 851 sites (2007) 71 from 191 properties inscribed for natural values are primary value for Earth Science

Organizing the new words and concepts

Geodiversity - variety of rocks, fossils, minerals, landforms, soils, tectonic, hydro geologic features, processes shaping the landscape; Geotope / Geosite a place / an area with unique or rare geological features, important for science and / or education; Geological heritage (geoheritage) - part of geodiversity we enjoy more;
Geoconservation a new area of applied geology aiming to assure the sustainable use of geological heritage and to promote geosciences. Main areas of activity:
Geodiversity evaluation Geotourism Geoeducation Geoparks

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Geoconservation - basic concepts, relationships and activities

Legal and institutional framework

Geological heritage

GEOTOURISM
(Economic benefits)

BIODIVERSITY
CULTURAL IDENTITY

Natural heritage (except the geological one)

GEOPARKS
Geopark networks (Economic, social & cultural benefits) (Local identity)

Cultural heritage

GEOEDUCATION

GEODIVERSITY

Interpretation and promotion of geosciences)

Geodiversity evaluation (Geodiversity Action Plans Geodiversity audit)

History
Up to 1991 Subordinated to other activities related to nature conservation 1991/1992 2000: development of different methods for geological heritage conservation; 2000 2004 Geopark - Global concept - Development of EGN - Setup of Global Geoparks Network (GGN) Since 2004 new area of applied geology - CE Recommendation 3 / 2004 (Geologic heritage) - IUCN (2012); / Worldwide activities - UNESCO (program ?)

Geoconservation development
Scientific publication GEOHERITAGE - ProGEO publication
(Wimbledon. W., & Brilla, J. )(edts)

Books Geoheritage in Europe and its conservation

(Wimbledon, W., Smith Mayer, S.) (edts)

Research projects
Educational programs (EVS case study)

Geoparks development

Geoconservation is giving life to rocks, is telling stories about our planet to make people to understand and love it.

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Create and organize stories into a context, based on scientific data

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Earth materials used for different human needs can tell us two stories: an anthropological one and a geological one.

Cutie / Cuchie, Hateg (Ro) The sharpening stone (Eng)

The object has an anthropological story about

Hay making

connected to rural economy

And also has a geological story

The sharpening stone is made from sandstone formed in a tropical environment of the Tethys Sea, 72 million years ago, DURING THE DINOSAUR ERA

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

National promotion of GEOTOURISM - Thematic trail

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 3 x 10 objects x places = 30 object and 60 stories

France

Romania

DIGNE (F)

St Vincent Stars Lower Jurassic crinoids, 190 my

Chtaigneraie Limousine (F)

Faiance Kaolin, 2 my

The identified rocks are covering more than 800 million years of geological evolution of Europe

Continental rocks Marine rocks

Copyright RGHP

Publications

3 simultaneous exhibitions (France and Romania) PARIS / EYID

Intangible Heritage Geologic sites as source of legends and scientific interpretation

Design Dan Palcu

Design Dan Palcu

GEOPARK
A GEOpark is not about geology is about the Earth (GEO - Earth) A Geopark is about people, about the dialogue between Man and Earth A geopark connects all stories for local development: cooperation, education , tourism

A GEOPARK MEANS
A territory / local communities / local heritage; Strategy for economic development /Tourism destination; (Geotourism and Geoproducts); Nature conservation (Geoconservation); Innovation in education (Geoeducation); Strengthen local identity (rural areas); To be partner in European & Global Network (UNESCO)

KEEP IN MIND! A GEOPARK IS A LIFE PROJECT

CREATION & MANGEMENT ARE STRONG CONNECTED

Identify local values and assign a role for future activities (Interdisciplinary studies and researches) (geopark borders)
Partnership for the Geopark`s Charta and Management Plan (commitment, geopark`s team and budget) - Each geopark is unique and has its role to play both in local communities and international bodies (innovative activities / approach)

EGN Charta (2000) UNESCO Guidelines 2004, 2008)

National framework

Local context

Buzau Land Geopark

A balanced territory
18 localities 147 villages 134 000 ha 50000 inhabitants 30 geological sites 25 biological sites

35 cultural, historic sites

5 N2000 sites

Optimal territory
A comparison between initial (light yellow) and final areas for the geopark (dark yellow)

The role of a geopark . Local business

Support for development of traditional and new local products geo-products, geotourism, local brands

Interpretation and public awareness about geological heritage / Geo-products

Could generate strong brands

Germany

Spain

Germany

France Romania Brasil

Portugal

The role of a geopark. Geo-education

Educational materials, special toolkit (GEORIUM) or

programs: Geo-kids, Rocks detective

Mini-Georium Discovering the plants of the Petrified Forest

New approach in education Innovative tools and activities

RGHP Georium, 8 Boxes, Fanerozoic fossils (marine and terrestrial) research methodology

Geo-kids (Germany), Rock detectives (UK)

Learning about rocks

Moulding fossils

Local support and cooperation

European Geoparks Network a brand of quality / Charta 2000 2013 (from 4 to 54 geoparks) + hundreds of other initiatives

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Chinese & global stories Global Network of National Geoparks / UNESCO (90 geoparks)

Margaret Patzak UNESCO Patrick McKeever UNESCO

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

China is giving a strong support to geopark development program 26 Chinese geoparks

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

EGN structure and activities

Committee meeting / spring and autumn open session (iTALY, September, 2013) Two presidents / Advisory committee; Partnerships with UNESCO, IUGS, IUCN (representatives) European Geoparks Week; Promotion (website, magazine, books, media coverage) Conferences / courses / projects Validation and revalidation (every 4 years)

The Geoparks` story a French story about the ammonite slab

Dr Guy Martini

The ammonites Kings of the Mesozoic seas Extinction like dinosaurs at K/T

A piece of rock for almost everybody An good place for fossils` hunters An exciting site for geologist (190 my) A big trouble for GRHP administration

1992 - Kamaishi Region (Japan) decided to buy the ammonite slab RGHP made a 160 sqm cast (in 30 pcs), big exhibition in Japan, museum, twining

Lesvos
A Greek story

Dr Nikolas Zouros

Petrified Forest / Site museums Sigri Museum Tourism development / promotion / projects / education

 And a German story

Dr Marie Luise Frey

GEOPARK GEOTOURISM

53 Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Messel Pitt

http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=2937

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/08

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Grube Messel Visiting Centre - Germany

Project LLP nr. 12-EIP-RO BUCURES 09

Geoparks future development

Geoparks and UNESCO
Geoparks vs Biosfere reserves Geoparks and World Heritage List Geoparks and education

Rules to restrict the accession (by countries / by subjects) Evaluate the economic impact

STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES

The PPF CONCEPT - continuous landscape evolution

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

THERE IS ALWAYS A GEOLOGIC STORY TO BE TOLD! The best geopark is the next one(Guy Martini)

Thank you!