What is a UNESCO-accredited Geopark?
What do Geoparks do?
|
Geoparks have three aspects: (1) Education using a range of media such as information packs for primary and second-level schoolchildren, fieldtrips/guided walks for children and adults, courses and training for local adults on the geology and landscape, public talks, events such as Geoparks Week, CDs and DVDs exploring the landscape, brochures for walking trails and information at key points explaining landscape features. These programmes all utilise existing visitor centres and educational organisations and programmes.
(2) Conservation through awareness and visitor management, i.e. education and information programmes that highlight the need to respect the landscape and its culture, and visitor management programmes that control access to, and maintenance of, specific areas and sites that have been agreed with landowners or are already in public ownership.
(3) Sustainable development of the local economy through the active development and promotion of ecotourism, which focuses on ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people’.
|
supporting existing education programmes, e.g. Ecobeo |
|
(1) The diverse educational programmes for local adults and children would enhance their understanding of their regional landscape.
(2) The Geopark would incorporate a model for the conservation of the Burren landscape that focuses on information, visitor management and respect for private property.
(3) A Geopark would provide opportunities for year round tourism focussed on the local landscape, local activities, local produce and local events that would encourage visitors to extend their stay here.
(4) Geopark status would attract scientific research and study tours (therefore improving our knowledge of the Burren), positive media coverage, and international funding for further development of facilities and services in the region.
(5) Geopark status is an internationally recognised quality brand that provides global recognition of the high standard of education and conservation programmes in place.
|
developing trails linking sites of interest |
| (1) Geopark status is not written into law, it is not a designation, not an SAC, and cannot be used to affect planning decisions or agricultural practices.
(2) Geopark status will not afford open access to private lands. Instead, visitors would be focused onto specific waymarked trails, such as the Burren Way (agreed under the Walks Scheme), green roads, and trails within the Burren National Park. If certain sites on privately owned land are considered to be of such geological interest that they have potential as public Geopark sites, Burren Connect/Geopark staff will consult with the landowner. The site would be included in the list of public Geopark sites only if both parties can reach an agreement regarding visitor access and management.
(3) Landowners and their children would be among the primary beneficiaries of the Geopark’s education program for all age groups. The visitor information programme will communicate the need to respect the Burren landscape and to respect private property.
(4) A Geopark would offer business opportunities for landowners for example: Geopark-provided training, on interesting features on their own land, would equip landowners with the necessary knowledge to develop guided trail businesses and therefore expand the potential of their land.
|
adult education, e.g. evening classes on Geology and fieldtrips
business opportunities, e.g. agritourism |
|
European Geoparks Network |
Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark |
Copper Coast European Geopark |
