Original posting 14^th November 2011

Revised 14^th January 2012

Revised 26^th January 2012

Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism Symposia

IGC Brisbane 2012

(supplementing IGC Circular 3)

Bernie Joyce

Convenor of the Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism Symposia

These symposia at the IGC in Brisbane in August 2012 form part of the Theme Geoscience for Society, which will be co-ordinated by Hamish Campbell (h.campbell@gns.cri.nz)

The Geoscience for Society Theme encompasses the roles of the geosciences in decisions and approaches that are of wide public interest, including geological heritage and geotourism; geoscience underpinning conservation; geoscience education; communicating geoscience to the public; museum collections; forensic geoscience; and gemstones.

1.1 Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism

Bernie JOYCE (Australia), José BRILHA (Portugal), Bill WIMBLEDON, Lars ERIKSTAD, Margaret BROCX, Patrick MC KEEVER (Ireland), Nickolas ZOUROS (Greece), Changxing LONG (China), Ross DOWLING (Australia) and Angus M ROBINSON (Australia).

This Symposium will examine the importance and diversity of geological heritage (geoheritage). Key topics will include the identification and quantification of geoheritage, geodiversity and geosites, the significance of geoconservation, UNESCO’s geoparks, and the growth of geotourism.

Keynote speakers: William WIMBLEDON (UK), Patrick MCKEEVER (Ireland), Nickolas ZOUROS (Greece) and Ross DOWLING (Australia)

See similar details on the IGC conference web site at:

http://www.34igc.org/scientific-themes-symposia.php#theme-1-geoscience-for-society

Symposia title: Geoheritage

Convenor: Bernie Joyce (The University of Melbourne, and ProGEO representative in Australia - ebj@unimelb.edu.au).

International Convenor: José Brilha (University of Minho, Portugal, and Editor in Chief “Geoheritage” - jbrilha@dct.uminho.pt).

Synopsis of the Geoheritage Symposia:

The Geoheritage Symposia will examine the importance and diversity of Geoheritage (geological heritage), its history, geoconservation, geoparks and geotourism. Topics include methodologies for the identification and quantification of geoheritage, geosites and geodiversity, the significance of geoconservation, and how UNESCO World Heritage Properties compare and contrast with Global Geoparks, and the current growth of geotourism.

We will consider how to extend the current concept of geosites beyond Europe, making use locally of the expertise of ProGEO, so far confined to Europe.

The story of Geoheritage in Australia, its history of growth, its World Heritage Properties and Geoparks, and its continental scale major landscapes in comparison to those of smaller countries will be explored. The Australian Government is committed to the identification, protection and celebration of Australia’s geological heritage

Individual Geoheritage symposiums:

1. "Methodologies, inventory-based assessments and management of Geosites of National and International significance, including contrasting the work being done in large and small countries: South America, Australia, Antarctica, (and China, India, South Africa), compared with New Zealand, Ireland, UK, France, Italy."

Co-Convenors: Bill Wimbledon (University of Bristol, UK, and Editor in Chief “Geoheritage”) - KEYNOTE, and José Brilha: (University of Minho, Portugal, and Editor in Chief “Geoheritage” - jbrilha@dct.uminho.pt).

2. Geoheritage in Australia and other Southern hemisphere countries (South Africa, New Zealand, the Pacific, South America): Speakers for Australia to cover The Past (Bernie Joyce), Present (Susan White), and Future (Margaret Brocx). Offers of speakers covering other countries are welcome.

Co-Convenor Margaret Brocx: (Convenor of GSA Standing Committee for Geological Heritage, and Convenor of Committee for Geological Heritage, Geological Society of Australia (WA Division).

The Australian Government is committed to the identification and promotion of Australia’s geological heritage. For example, thirteen of Australia’s nineteen world heritage properties have geological values recognised by the World Heritage Committee, including the recently listed Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, which is internationally recognised for its remarkable geological heritage. In addition, there are several places on the National Heritage List that are listed principally for their geological values, including the Ediacara fossil site, the Warrumbungle National Park and the Yea fossil flora site, along with several other sites around Australia that are listed in part for their geological values.  

3. Sustainable use of Geoheritage - geodiversity, education. Comparing opportunities for geoconservation in internationally protected World Heritage Properties, Geoparks, and by local planning authorities.

Co-Convenor: Lars Erikstad (Executive Secretary, ProGEO, Natural History Museum, P.O. Box 1172, Blindern 0318, Oslo, Norway, and Institute of Nature Research, Norway).

EVENING WORKSHOP: Geosites, methodologies, landscape management and local planning. A report on the work of the ProGEO organisation in Europe, and how to make future use in Australia and other countries of the expertise of ProGEO beyond Europe. (This Workshop will be organised and possibly located outside the formal IGC program.)

Co-Convenors: Bill Wimbledon, José Brilha, Lars Erikstad, and representatives from countries beyond Europe.

In addition two further discussion sessions are being facilitated by the Geological Society of Australia (GSA) in partnership with others, and will be available to both those registered for the IGC, and others interested in Geoheritage although not registered.

Informal group discussion of fossil heritage - as loss or damage to our fossil geoheritage is of National concern both in Australia, and also in every country in the world, it would be good to follow up on the ProGEO article as to how we can improve on protecting Fossil sites, and educational programmes.

Informal panel discussion: questions and answers - Improving the protection of sites of geoheritage significance within and outside conservation areas (including in Geoparks), using inventory based geoconservation on a regional basis (including methods used in the UK, ProGEO workgroups, and the Geoheritage Tool-kit), as the basis for conservation both within and outside the conservation estate. Geoparks will be included within the discussions.

Further details and time and place of meetings to be announced later. Contact Margaret Brocx (Convenor of GSA Standing Committee for Geological Heritage) at geoheritage@iinet.net.au for further information.

Symposia title: Geoparks: geotourism, education and development

Convenors: Nickolas Zouros (University of the Aegean, Greece - nzour@aegean.gr), Patrick Mc Keever (GS Ireland - patrickgsni@yahoo.ie): Global Geoparks Network (UNESCO), KEYNOTES.

Co-Convenor: Changxing Long (Global Geoparks Bureau, China - cxlong@hotmail.com).

Symposia synopsis:

Global Geoparks, an initiative of UNESCO, are those places with geological heritage of international significance but where the protection, promotion and rational management of that heritage is integrated with the sustainable development of these territories. Global Geoparks do not operate in isolation from each other but are linked together in a dynamic network, the Global Geoparks Network, which facilities exchanges, collaboration and the sharing of ideas across the 86 members in 27 countries (as of Jan 1 2012).

Geoparks work closely with local authorities and stakeholders to promote their territorial identity based on Earth heritage conservation, rational management and promotion as well as sustainable local development, primarily through geotourism. Geoparks are required to contribute significantly to the local economy by creating new jobs and establishing close collaborations with local enterprises, artisans and community initiatives such as, for example, women’s cooperatives.

The success and dynamism of the members of the Global Geoparks Network has gained the attention of the public and decision makers in an increasing number of places across the world. A key element in this success is their role in bringing the value and importance of Earth Science to a wider audience.

This session examines the role geoparks have played to date in promoting Earth Science and in using our geological heritage to bring sustainable economic development to local communities. It will also examine the future development of the geopark initiative and critically look at the lessons learned to date.

Symposia title: Geotourism

Convenor: Ross Dowling (Edith Cowan University, WA - r.dowling@ecu.edu.au) KEYNOTE.

Co-Convenor: Angus M Robinson (Chair, Geotourism Sub Committee, GSA Standing Committee for Geological Heritage, NSW - angus@leisuresolutions.com.au).

Symposia synopsis:

The Geotourism Symposia will review the growth of geotourism, particularly tourism that features outstanding geology and landscapes, with the rapid growth of geoparks across the world providing both challenges and exciting opportunities.

Key topics to be examined will include, but not be limited to:

* Understanding the full scope of geotourism within the broad context of 'experiential' tourism.

* Management of geoheritage conservation and protection of areas delineated for geotourism.

* Strategies and case studies embracing quality interpretation and communication of geoheritage in these areas.

* Strategies and tools for analysing geodiversity in areas of geological significance.

* Potential for developing geoparks in existing protected areas and within regions currently embraced by the Australian National Landscapes program.

* The tangible benefits of geotourism which would include for example, building environmental awareness, providing direct financial benefits for conservation, providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people, respecting local culture etc.

* Strategies for communicating to geologists (including from within the minerals industry) the 'tourism' element of 'geotourism'.

* Best practice geotrails as a driver of geotourism activity.

* Case studies of 'best practice' global geotourism development.

* New ways (including using digital and social media) of marketing and promoting geotourism.

* Strategies for repositioning popular natural heritage tourism sites such as cave systems/karst areas as geotourism exemplars.

We warmly invite you to consider submitting an abstract which addresses one or more of the topics listed above. Abstracts on other aspects of Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism are also welcome.

The IGC deadline for abstract submissions is 17th February 2012. Further details about submitting abstracts can be found at http://www.34igc.org/submit-abstracts.php

The latest version of this document may be viewed online by going to:

http://web.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/Joyce/heritage/IGCGeoheritageSymposia2012.html

or by going to:

http://tinyurl.com/77fohvr

Information about field trips, Geoheritage and field guides to Australia, other publications on Geoheritage in Australia, and information on the UNESCO Kanawinka Global Geopark of Victoria and South Australia (also one of the IGC excursion areas) is also on this website.