Global Geoparks Network

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Global Geoparks Network

• Wesley Hill
• International Liaison
• The Geological Society of America
• Boulder, Colorado USA

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• NPS is currently assessing participation in the
  global Geoparks program (UNESCO)
• Coordination is through the NPS Geologic
  Resources Division (GRD) Office of
  International Affairs
• NPS Lead Dave Steensen, Director GRD
• Briefings to the Associate Director level
• NPS is currently working with GSA and USGS

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• Geoparks provide an international formal
  structure that links designated national
  geoheritage sites around the world under one
  global umbrella.
• Is a sister structure of UNESCO Biosphere
  Reserves World Heritage Program, but the focus
  is on geoheritage

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What is a Geopark?

• A destination identity similar in concept to a
  National Heritage Area. Geoparks are defined by
  the geology of the landscape and transcend the
  boundaries of parks and other protected areas.
• A Geopark operates as a partnership of people
  and land managers working to promote Earth
  heritage through education and sustainable
  tourism.
• Nationally (or globally) important geologic area.

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Benefits

• Opportunities to highlight geoscience research
  and information to local residents, policy
  makers, media representatives, and local schools
• Wider recognition and a higher profile of the
  site
• Public education spotlight on geoscience topics
  volcanoes, earthquakes, tectonics, erosion,
  minerals, caves, paleontology, historical mining
• Promotion of the sites geological heritage and
  its role in the history of the local area

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• Opportunity to Increase Geotourism
• Geotourism the objective of the trip is to
  visit or view a geological formation or unique
  landscape
• Outstanding landscapes formations
• Scientifically interesting
• Photographic opportunity
• Geoheritage cultural interest
• Exposed rock formations
• Assemblages of Minerals
• Coastlines

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Our Geological Heritage

• scientifically important, or especially striking,
  scenic, or unusual geologic phenomena
• sites where geologic features, rock types,
  landforms or type specimens of fossils were first
  recognized and described
• textbook examples of geologic features,
  structures, fossils, processes, and landforms
• historic sites where cultural events were tied to
  an areas geologic features, such as those in the
  history of geology, mining, and geology in early
  exploration and settlement

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• Site Authority Management
• Management control by existing structure.
• UNESCO has no sovereignty and no control over any
  Geopark - in any shape or form. Management lies
  at all times with the host nation and with host
  authorities management.
• Type of quality branding standard similar to
  World Heritage.

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U.S. Interests in Geoparks

• Recognize and promote important geology that may
  not qualify for UNESCO World Heritage List
• Educate the public about geologic heritage
• Link geology to natural ecosystems, and cultural
  and economic activities
• Promote economic development, particularly
  through sustainable tourism (geotourism)
• U.S. can benefit from cooperation with the
  international network of Geoparks

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Questions Regarding Geoparks

• If the U.S. already participates in World
  Heritage, why do we need Geoparks?
• How much work will nominations require?
• What is the administrative burden (time/work)?
• Will there be public opposition concerning
  another UNESCO initiative/program?

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Questions Regarding Geoparks

• How will sites benefit from Geopark designation
  in U.S. additional benefits?
• How will this be funded? From whom?
• What is the difference between goals of Geoparks,
  World Heritage and MAB?
• What type of oversight/management control does
  UNESCO have over the site?

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Geoparks World Heritage

• Many sites with great geologic significance are
  larger than a single Park (WH Sites are usually
  single park or unit)
• The Park may manage only a small section of the
  geologically significant area as a whole
• Multiple organizations (BLM, Forest Service)
  often manage remaining significant geologic area

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Geoparks World Heritage

• World Heritage has strict protection standards
  that are a poor fit with multiple organization
  management (multiple use)
• The Geopark concept is a better fit with sites
  that have multiple organization partnerships and
  Geoparks accept economic uses, like mining
• With Geoparks, no requirement to show outstanding
  global value that the WH program requires (show
  national importance)

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• The National Park Service and The Geological
  Society of America (GSA) have drafted U.S.
  guidelines for Geopark applications.
• The U.S. and Canada are working together on
  national Geoparks initiatives and hope for a
  future North American Geoparks Network.
• UNESCO just awarded the 1st Geopark in Canada.
  Stonehammer Geopark, New Brunswick First Geopark
  in North America

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Next Steps

• Comment period on draft U.S. guidelines
• Feedback from the field on concept of program
• Finalize U.S. Geoparks guidelines
•  
• Form U.S. National Committee for Geoparks
• Approval at the State Department level
• Geopark applications accepted every 2 years

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Next Steps

• Current site interested in applying Gold Belt
  Scenic Byway area in Colorado
• Road to Riches Paleo Mining History
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• Royal Gorge
• Site has already drafted a Letter of Intent to
  Apply