Geoheritage Recognition in Canada and its Role in Defining Global Geoparks

English Abstract:

As biotic creatures, humans do not intuitively connect with the abiotic world of geology. Here lies the eloquent power of the concept of geoheritage, the best vehicle for bridging this fundamental divide. At the core of a successful and impactful geoheritage strategy is a methodically developed list of geoheritage sites, one that can be universally applied across the provinces and territories of Canada. The purpose of a geoheritage list is to build public awareness of their geologic heritage and its influence on a region’s cultural history. Geoheritage provides the best vehicle for geoscientists to engage the public, to help people better value geology and the role of geoscience in our lives, including two great issues facing humanity: i) access and limits of mineral and energy resources, by increasing public awareness of the connections between our cultural heritage and geology; and ii) better understanding of current and future global change by consulting the geologic record. The concept of geoheritage was given form in Digne, France, in 1991, in the eloquent Déclaration Internationale des Droits de la Mémoire de la Terre. Early on, the concept was embraced primarily in Europe, where it fueled the explosion of European Geoparks. The Global Geoparks Network has now become truly international, and here in Canada is receiving growing interest from communities seeking truly sustainable, community-based economic development. Geoparks and geoheritage are linked, but are not synonomous. Geoheritage establishes the intrinsic value of a region of sites, and requires the deep knowledge of geoscientists. Global Geoparks draw their identity from those established values to draw people to the region. A well-founded list of geoheritage sites is therefore key to identifying prospective Global Geoparks and in defining a strong, identifiable theme that embues a specific Geopark with unique character that will also serve interpretation and marketing. As interest in candidate Global Geoparks grows across Canada, the need for systematic inventory of geoheritage sites is pressing.