UNESCO Global Geoparks Council examines new applications

The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council is responsible for assessing revalidated and new UNESCO Global Geopark nominations, which are then submitted to UNESCO’s Executive Board for endorsement. At its fourth statutory meeting held in Lombok, Indonesia, from 31 August to 2 September 2019, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council assessed 13 new applications for UNESCO Global Geoparks, five previously deferred applications, one extension request larger than 10% of an existing UNESCO Global Geopark, resulting in a new application, and 38 revalidations.

As a result of this thorough examination, in presence of observers and representatives of several Member States, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council proposes to forward the nomination of 15 new UNESCO Global Geoparks to the Executive Board of UNESCO, for its endorsement during the 2020 Spring session.

In accordance with Section 2.10 and 5.5 of the Operational Guidelines for UNESCO Global Geoparks the Council shall present a report on its work and its decisions to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Bureau and will circulate that report to Member States and Associate Member States of UNESCO.

Should UNESCO’s Executive Board of UNESCO endorse the outcome of the Council during its spring 2020 session, then the designation of these new sites would bring the total number of sites in the Global UNESCO Geoparks Network to 161, in 44 countries, including sites in Nicaragua, The Russian Federation and Serbia.

The following sites are proposed for endorsement:

  • Cliffs of Fundy (Canada)
  • Discovery (Canada)
  • Xiangxi (China)
  • Zhangye (China)
  • Lauhanvuori-Haemeenkangas (Finland)
  • Hantangang (Korea Rep. of)
  • Granada (Spain)
  • Maestrazgo (Spain)
  • Dak Nong (Vietnam)
  • Rio Coco (Nicaragua)
  • Black Country (UK)
  • Djerdap (Serbia)
  • Toba Caldera (Indonesia)
  • Estrela (Portugal)
  • Yangan Tau (Russian Federation)

Link to complete article:
https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-global-geoparks-council-examines-new-applications

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Cliffs of Fundy Geopark

4 days ago

Cliffs of Fundy Geopark
Congratulations to Nova Scotia Nature Trust on 30 years!This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Nature Trust! We’ll be highlighting some of our milestones and proudest moments, starting today with our very first protected lands: The Brothers.The Brothers encompass 15 acres on two islands in the Bay of Fundy near Parrsboro.* These steep-sided basalt islands harbour old growth hardwood forest and rare plants (Canada Yew and Purple Trillium). Bald Eagles, Black Guillemot, and provincially endangered Bank Swallows nest on the islands. They may also provide suitable nesting cliffs for Peregrine Falcons, which have shown signs of recovery in the upper bay.These two islands had been in Jack Herbin’s family for almost a century. His grandfather, John Herbin, a jeweller by trade and a keen naturalist and rock collector, bought them from the province in 1898 for $25. Every summer, he and his wife would spend several weeks exploring the islands, collecting rocks, and observing the plants and animals. Locals also visited the islands to collect shellfish, dulce, and agate. Stories circulated about "rock hounds" getting trapped overnight due to the fast changing tides. Since then, the danger of the tides, the height of the eroding cliffs and the difficulty in reaching the top have made the islands a natural wonder to admire from a distance, not a place to visit. This reduction in human disturbance also safeguards the nesting bird colonies and the natural groundcover vegetation that helps protect the islands from erosion.In 1995, Jack Herbin permanently protected The Brothers by donating them to the very recently formed Nova Scotia Nature Trust.The relative scarcity of islands in the upper Bay of Fundy, and the growing pressure to develop coastal islands in Nova Scotia, made this conservation success provincially significant.*Not to be confused with Brothers Islands, off of Pubnico, which are critically important for Roseate Terns and are part of a provincial Wildlife Management Area.📷 : Jack Herbin at The Brothers. ... See MoreSee Less

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Cliffs of Fundy Geopark

4 days ago

Cliffs of Fundy Geopark
Happy Earth Day Everyone!🌱 Let earth day be a time of honouring Mother Earth, our Earth Keepers, and Stewards of the environment.At CMM, we recognize that the wisdom of Indigenous Communities and their stewardship of the land can provide valuable lessons for sustaining and restoring the intricate balance of our ecosystems.By drawing from their land-connected knowledge, we are better able to face environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, food security, and conservation.Join us as we celebrate our land, water, plants, animals, and the interconnectedness of our home. 🌎 Let us make every day, Earth Day. 🌎 ... See MoreSee Less

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What is a Geopark?

A Geopark is a designation that attracts tourists wishing to explore the connections between geology, local communities, culture, and nature. Geoparks are designed to promote tourism and celebrate a region’s uniqueness, and do not prohibit any land use.