What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?
“Single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.” – UNESCO Global Geoparks
“Geoparks promote the links between geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, clearly demonstrating that geodiversity is the foundation of modern ecosystems and the basis of human interaction with the landscape.
UNESCO Global Geoparks encourage awareness of the story of the planet as read in the rocks
and landscape and are committed to the conservation, management and communication to
society of the Earth heritage as an integral part of the world’s natural and cultural heritage.” – Nickolas Zouros, President of the Global Geoparks Network.
There are 177 UNESCO GeoParks in 46 countries around the world
There are 5 in Canada
And 7 – “Aspiring Geoparks” - that UNESCO recognizes as potential UNESCO
Geoparks.
Georgian Bay is one.
UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS foster and promote:
- Sustainable tourism
- Sustainable development
- Community resilience
- Shared responsibility
- Education and knowledge building
- Conservation and protection
Geoparks are not conventional parks. They do not:
- Control public lands
- Affect private property
- Impose rules
- Impede First Nations’ Rights and Titles.
