The Extension Work of Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark: An Example of Sustaining Local Communities Li Sun 1,2, Lulin Wang 1,* and Mingzhong Tian 1 1 School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China; 2 The Administrator Office of Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark, Zigong 643000, P.R. China. 3 Email:
[email protected] Keywords: Zigong, geopark, sustaining, local community Abstract: Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark is well known for its dinosaur findings and vertebrate fossils of the Middle Jurassic Period and a salt mine of the Triassic Period. It was recognized as member of the Global Geoparks Network in February 2008 and revalidated in December 2012. After the Administration for Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark submitted an extension application to UNESCO in November 2015, a new geopark territory was approved, which is 2720% larger than the area initially defined. More geological heritage as well as natural and cultural heritage has been included in and the increased number of communities of the territory is actively involved in the management and development of the geopark. Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark cooperates with those communities as to encourage geotourism with the help of inspiring local enterprises, creating new jobs and offering high quality training courses. The connection between Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark and communities have been gradually improved. So far, it has been proved that the geopark could not only support local sustainable development but also help local people to acquire earth knowledge as well as to improve their lives. 1 INTRODUCTION However, as stated by the Statutes of the International Geoscience and Geopark Programme Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) is (IGGP) and the Operational Guidelines for located in Zigong Municipal City, Sichuan Province, UNESCO Global Geoparks (UNESCO, 2016), Southwest of China.