Panel of Experts on Geological Heritage
Mission
The EFG Panel of Experts on Geological Heritage aims to support the European Institutions in finding answers to the Geoconservation and Geological Heritage challenges, contributing to the development of European policies to protect the Geological Heritage in Europe. In collaboration with other organizations this PE prepares advice documents and organizes and disseminates scientific events and outreach events on Geoconservation and Geological Heritage.
Our experts
Mónica Sousa
Coordinator
coordinator.geoheritage_at_eurogeologists.eu
Hanneke Van den Ancker (Netherlands), Dave Harper (Denmark), Ulrike Mattig (Germany), Alecos Demetriades (Greece), Jonh Gordon (UK), Murray Gray (UK), Joan Poch (Spain), Aleksandra Maran Stevanović (Serbia), Martina Stupar (Slovenia), Suzana Fajmut Štrucl (Slovenia), Damir Palenik (Croatia), Paulo Jorge Silva Pereira (Portugal)
Alecos Demetriades
Suzana Fajmut Štrucl
John Gordon
Murray Gray
David Harper
Aleksandra Maran Stevanović
Ulrike Mattig
Damir Palenik
Paulo Pereira
Joan Poch
Martina Stupar
Hanneke Van Den Ancker
Activities we developed
EFG Strategic Position - Geodiversity, Geoheritage & Geotourism: Advancing the Future Sustainability of Europe and Preserving the Memory of the Earth
The EFG Panel of Experts on Geological Heritage is presenting a strategic position document as an initial step towards formulating an Action Plan for an EU Geodiversity, Geoheritage & Geotourism Strategy.
Although defined over 30 years ago, the concepts of geodiversity, geoheritage, and geotourism remain relatively unknown in society, resulting in their undervaluation in various public policies and strategies. In response, the European Federation of Geologists underscores the significance of geodiversity as a cornerstone for biodiversity and essential for human prosperity and well-being. Furthermore, the importance of geoheritage in preserving Earth’s memory is emphasised. Geotourism, in turn, presents an opportunity to craft unique experiences, raise public awareness, stimulate local sustainable development, and advocate for the conservation of geoheritage. This document represents the initial phase in formulating an Action Plan for an EU Geodiversity, Geoheritage & Geotourism Strategy.
Events:
- EFG Webinar: Treasures of the Earth, 7 December 2022
- EFG Webinar: GEOfood – Connection Between Geology and Food, 25 October 2022
- EFG Webinar: The Relationship between Mineral Resources and UNESCO Global Geoparks, 23 September 2021
- Celebrating Earth Day 2021: #GeositesOfEurope
- GeoConnect3D webinar ‘Promoting Geoheritage and Geotoursim’, 22 June 2020. Guest speakers: Mónica Sousa and Glen Burridge.
- Stand at the GREEN WEEK 2012: “Every drop counts”
- EFG convener of session at EGU meeting, Geodiversity and Geoheritage in university education and research, Vienna, 22-27 April 2012.
- Pro-GEO-WG3 meeting on Geodiversity, geoheritage and Nature and landscapes management, Assen, The Netherlands, 19-22 April 2009, meeting was supported by EFG
- ENSA meeting, invited speaker in 2nd European Network on Soil Awareness meeting, 27 – 29 September 2009 in Osnabrück. The meeting was supported by the JRC.
- Invited speaker on geological heritage in Taiex Albania meeting EU Mining Legislation and Initiatives related to Non-Energy Extractive Industries INFRA 34256 organised in co-operation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy and the Albanian Geological Survey, Tirana 20-21 October 2009.
- Land-Ice & Geotourism in Northern Europe. 1st German-Dutch Workshop. Geopark Mecklenburg Ice Age Landscape. Neubrandenburg, October 23rd – 25th, 2008.
- TAIEX & EFG Workshop- Palanga, Lithuania. 7-9 Apr 2008.
- TAIEX & EFG Workshop- Sibiu, Romania. 8-10 Oct 2007.
- EFG participated in Green Week 2006 (29 May–2 June 2006), with a stand highlighting the concept Geodiversity = Biodiversity, where this panel carried out the organization.
Publications:
- EFG Strategic Position: Geodiversity, Geoheritage & Geotourism: Advancing the Future Sustainability of Europe and Preserving the Memory of the Earth
- Support to the IUGS Zumaia Declaration
- Proposal for a recommendation on ‘Environmental sustainability – education and training’ supporting the initiative of the European Commission on Education for Environmental Sustainability (May 2021)
- EU Soil Strategy: Contribution to the public consultation, April 2021
- Interview with coordinator Mónica Sousa
- European Geologist magazine 34: issue on geological heritage. Contains a collection of articles with examples of geological heritage protection and geodiversity from 10 different countries.
- European Union Soil Thematic Strategy Geodiversity and Geoheritage as features of Soil Protection, February 2004.
- EU Manifesto on Earth Heritage and Geodiversity, November 2004, in collaboration with IGU, IUGS, EUCC, ECSSS, IAG, IUSS, and many national and European organizations related to Geoheritage.
- Panel Geodiversity=Biodiversity explained. (29 May–2 June 2006)
- The EFG stand in the Green Week – Geodiversity=Biodiversity. (29 May–2 June 2006)
- This panel has contributed to preparing advice documents to the WG on Geological Heritage, Council of Europe, Cultural and Natural Heritage Department.
Monitoring the EU policy
EU funding:
- Horizon Europe calls
EU institutions involved:
- Commission: DG Environment
- Parliament: Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Relevant EU documents:
- European Commission (2012) – Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the Soil Thematic Strategy and ongoing activities.(COM(2012) 046)
- European Commission (2011) – Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 (COM(2011) 0244)
- European Commission (2006) – Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a FIORE GRAZIA MARIA 6 framework for the protection of soil and amending Directive 2004/35/EC. COM(2006) 0232)
- Land Degradation and Desertification -Recommendation Re (2004)3 on the Council of Europe on conservation of the geological heritage and areas of special geological interest (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on May 2004).
Our YouTube selection
Other resources we invite you to consult
Other platforms:
- Associação para a Defesa e Divulgação do Património Geológico do Alentejo e Algarve (DPGA) (Portuguese Association for Geological Heritage)
- Associação Portuguesa de Geomorfólogos (Portuguese Association of Geomorphologists)
- British Institute for Geological Conservation
- Cornwall RIGS Group
- Countryside Council for Wales
- Natural England
- Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, I. P. (Portuguese Public Institution)
- International Association of Geomorphologists
- IUCN WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group
- ProGEO
- European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage
- ProGEO-Portugal – Grupo Português da Associação Europeia para a Conservação do Património Geológico (ProGEO Portuguese Group)
- European Geopaks Network
- Asia Pacific Geoparks Network
- Geoparks Global Network
- Réserves Naturelles de France
- La commission Patrimoine Géologique
- Scottish Natural Heritage
- SIGEP
- Comissão Brasileira de Sítios Geológicos e Paleobiológicos (Brasilian Comissiono n Geological and Paleobiological Sites)
- Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (Portuguese Geological Survey)
- Sociedad Española para la Defensa del Patrimonio Geológico y Minero (Spanish Society for Geological and Mining Heritage)
- Société Géologique de France – (Page on Geological Heritage – French Geological Society)
- Sociedad Geológica de España – (Page on Geological Heritage – Spanish Geological Society)
- Geological Society of Australia (Page on Geological Heritage)
Examples of Geoconservation:
- An Introduction to the Geological Conservation Review (UK)
- An introduction to South Africa’s Geological and Mining Heritage
- Bakony-Balaton Geopark (Hungary)
- Concepts and principles of Geoconservation (Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania)
- English Riviera Geopark (UK)
- Geological heritage in Australia
- Geopark Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional (Portugal)
- Monumento Natural das Pegadas de Dinossaúrios das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros (Portugal)
- Novohrad-Nograd geopark (Hungary)
- Patrimonio Geológico-Minero (IGME)
- Parque Mineiro da Cova dos Mouros (Algarve, Portugal)
- Parque Cultural del Maestrazgo (España)
- Parque Paleozóico de Valongo (Portugal)
- Pedreira do Valério (Canelas, Arouca, Portugal)
- Pistas de Dinossáurios da Serra d’Aire (Portugal)
- Shirakami Mountains-World Heritage Region (Japan)
- The petrified forest of Lesvos – Protected Natural Monument (Greece)
- World heritage sites in the USA
Publications:
- IUCN Guidelines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas (2020)
- Other IUCN geoheritage publications
- Global Geoparks Network
- Geoheritage
- Earth Heritage Magazine
- Découvrir le patrimoine géologique de la France (Géosciences, BRGM, nº 7-8, 2008)
- Geotimes (número dedicado ao Património Geológico; vol. 48, nº6 de Junho de 2003)
Portuguese Pages on Geological Heritage:
- Geosites (LNEG)
- O Miocénico das arribas do litoral da Península de Setúbal. Um património geológico a preservar.
- Património Paleontológico do Miocénico da Península de Setúbal.
- Monumento Natural das Pegadas de Dinossaurio da Serra de Aire
- Parque Paleozóico de Valongo
- Mestrado em Património Geológico e Geoconservação (Univ. do Minho)
Videos:
- The Lost World: Canaima National Park (Guyana) by NHK/UNESCO
- Novohrad-Nógrád Geopark (Hungary) by the Novohrad Nógrád Geopark
- Where de Day is Born -Araripe plateau Geopark (Brazil) by Ciência, Funcap
