Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by National Documentation Centre - EKT journals Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece Vol. 43, 2010 GEOPARKS MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT Zouros N. University of the Aegean, Department of Geography Valiakos I. University of the Aegean, Department of Geography Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Fores https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.11262 Copyright © 2017 N. Zouros, I. Valiakos To cite this article: Zouros, N., & Valiakos, I. (2010). GEOPARKS MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 43(2), 965-977. doi:https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.11262 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 23/03/2020 05:18:33 | Δελτίο της Ελληνικής Γεωλογικής Εταιρίας, 2010 Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 2010 Πρακτικά 12ου Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου Proceedings of the 12th International Congress Πάτρα, Μάιος 2010 Patras, May, 2010 GEOPARKS MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT Zouros N.1,2 and Valiakos I.1,2 1 University of the Aegean, Department of Geography, 81100 Mytilene, Greece, [email protected] 2 Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, 81100 Mytilene, Greece – [email protected] Abstract Established in 2000, the European Geoparks Network (EGN), comprising 35 members (November 2009), aims to protect geodiversity, to promote geological heritage to the general public as well as to support sustainable economic development of geopark territories primarily through the development of geological tourism. All requests for recognition as a “European Geopark” must be submitted by the organisa- tion in charge of managing the area. The application dossier includes precise information dealing with identification of the zone, scientific description of the existing geoheritage, management body, management plan, infrastructure, educational and promotional activities, sustainable development policy insti- tuted and geo-tourism. Membership of the EGN is for a period of four years after which membership is reviewed and assessed. The first revalidation procedure occurred during 2004 and since then has helped to keep all Geopark operations, infrastructure and services at a high quality level. The revalidation process involves a field visit by two independent evaluators nominated by the EGN and UNESCO. As- sessment methodology examines the progress in geological heritage protection and promotion as well as the development of sustainable economic activity within each territory. However it also takes into account the Geopark’s degree of active participation in international collaboration and networking. Key words: Geoparks management, evaluation assessment methodology, European Geoparks Network. 1. Introduction Following the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 1991 Declaration on the rights of the memory of the Earth (Martini 1993), a new initiative was developed in Eu- rope by the active collaboration between territories (through local management bodies), aiming at Earth heritage protection and conservation through a sustainable local development strategy, with the support of the EU. According to the proposed new “concept”, a European Geopark is a territory with a geological heritage of European significance, a sustainable development strategy, a strong management structure and is often supported by a European funding programme to aid further development (Zouros et al. 2003). Established in 2000, the European Geoparks Network (EGN) aims to protect geodiversity, to promote geological heritage to the general public, as well as to support sustainable economic development of Geopark territories, primarily through the development of geological tourism. The network has drawn together territories from across Europe that share these aims and now work together in an active and dynamic way in order to achieve them. Originally consisting of four territories, the network has grown to include, as of November 2009, 35 territories across 13 European countries (fig 1). Greece is represented by three Geoparks in the European Geoparks Network, the Lesvos Petrified Forest (2000), founding member of EGN, the Psiloritis Geopark in Crete (2001) and the Helmos – Vouraikos XLIII, No 2 – 965 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 23/03/2020 05:18:33 | Geopark (2009), which is the youngest member of the EGN (www.europeangeoparks.org). In 2001 the European Geoparks Network signed a formal agreement with UNESCO’s Division of Earth Sciences, whereby UNESCO gave the network its endorsement. A further agreement was signed with UNESCO in 2004 whereby the EGN was given the responsibility for regulating membership of European Geoparks in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN). As a result the EGN acts as the European sector of the GGN. The European Geoparks Network operates through continuous elec- tronic communication, biannual coordination meetings and the establishment of common projects through which territories can exchange ideas, experience and best practices, thereby supporting each other on geotourism development. UNESCO recommends the creation of similar regional networks, reflecting local conditions, elsewhere in the world. (UNESCO 2008) Today, in addition to the European Geoparks Network, the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (A.P.G.G.N.) formed in 2007 is also active and several other regional networks are under consideration in Latin America, North America and Africa (McKeever et al 2009). The structure of the European Geoparks Network is relatively simple and comprises of an Advisory Committee (11 members including representatives of UNESCO, the International Union of Geological Sciences - IUGS and the World Conservation Union - IUCN) and a Coordination Committee (comprising two representatives from each member). Decisions concerning the network are made only by the Coordination Committee. As part of the Coordination Committee, there is an elected EGN Coordinator and Vice Coordinator to represent the whole Network. They coordinate contacts with other international bodies (E.U., UNESCO, IUGS, IUCN, Council of Europe etc.) and prepare the agenda of the meetings in cooperation with the meeting hosts. The European Geoparks Network has adopted a common logo which is registered in all European countries. An EGN member has the right to use the European Geopark logo in its communications thereby contributing over time to the creation of a common image of quality, linking the enhance- ment of European Earth heritage with sustainable development. Membership in the EGN entitles a Geopark to call itself a European Geopark and to use the logo of the EGN in its promotional material. These logos must only be used on products produced directly by the Geopark management (Zouros 2004, McKeever and Zouros 2005). 2. Geopark management A European Geopark integrates the range of resources found within its broader region, including geological attractions and geosites, landscapes, wetlands, sites of natural beauty and ecological value, as well as cultural monuments and sites. A Geopark can also include intangible heritage and tradi- tions including gastronomy, crafts and local agricultural products. No distraction or sale of original, ornamental geological material is permitted within a European geopark (Zouros et al 2003). A broad range of activities combines the main components for the operation of each Geopark, including scientific research, the creation of an inventory and map of geological sites, protection of the geological heritage, the operation of thematic museums and interpretation centers, interpretation and promotion of geological sites, the conservation of fossils, the creation of parks for visitors, the establishment of a network of walking trails linking geological sites to ecotourism infrastructures, the development of environmental education programmes on geological sites, the organization of scientific and cultural events, and the promotion of monumental geological sites. Geoparks also promote themselves as ideal destinations for educational activities (Zouros 2004, McKeever and Zouros 2005, EGN 2009). XLIII, No 2 – 966 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 23/03/2020 05:18:33 | Fig. 1: Map showing the location of the 35 members of the European Geoparks Network as of September 2009. 1. Réserve Géologique de Haute - Provence–FRANCE, 2. Vulkaneifel European Geopark – GERMANY, 3. Pet- rified Forest of Lesvos – GREECE, 4. Maestrazgo Cultural Park – SPAIN, 5. Psiloritis Natural Park – GREECE, 6. Terra.Vita Naturpark – GERMANY, 7. Copper Coast Geopark – IRELAND, 8. Marble Arch Caves Geopark IRELAND & N. IRELAND 9. Madonie Geopark –ITALY, 10. Rocca di Cerere Geopark – ITALY, 11. Naturpark Steirische Eisenwurzen – AUSTRIA, 12. Naturpark Bergstrasse Odenwald – GERMANY, 13. North Pennines AONB – UK, 14. Park Naturel Régional du Luberon – FRANCE, 15. North West Highlands – UK, 16. Geopark Swabian Albs – GERMANY, 17.Harz Braunschweiger Land Ostfalen– GERMANY, 18. Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark – ROMANIA, 19 Beigua Geopark – ITALY, 20. Fforest Fawr Geopark – UK, 21. Bohemian Paradise Geopark – CZECH REPUBLIC, 22. Cabo de Gata – Nijar Natural Park – SPAIN, 23. Naturtejo Geopark – POR- TUGAL, 24. Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park – SPAIN, 25. Sobrarbe Geopark – SPAIN, 26. Gea Norvegica Geop- ark – NORWAY, 27. Sardenia Geominerario Park – ITALY, 28. Papuk Geopark – CROATIA, 29. Lochaber Geopark – UK, 30. English Riviera Geopark - UK, 31.

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