Geological Heritage
PANEL OF EXPERTS
01 Mission
02 Experts
03 Activity
04 Events
05 Publications
06 EU Policy
Mission
Experts
Mónica Sousa
Coordinator of Geoheritage
Alecos Demetriades
David Harper
Paulo Pereira
Suzana Fajmut Štrucl
Aleksandra Maran Stevanović
Joan Poch
John Gordon
Ulrike Mattig
Martina Stupar
Murray Gray
Damir Palenik
Hanneke Van Den Ancker
Activities
Launch of EFG Policy Manifesto
November 2024
Launch of EFG Policy Manifesto: Geology’s Vital Contribution to European Competitiveness
Other activities we developed
April 2024
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
November 2025: 5th IPGC – Building on the Past, Advancing towards the Future: Geology in the Era of Technology
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.
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
APRIL 2024
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)
Poster: CO2 Capture and Storage, January 2008
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.
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:
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).
Video 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
Countryside Council for Wales
Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, I. P. (Portuguese Public Institution)
International Association of Geomorphologists
IUCN WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group
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)
La commission Patrimoine Géologique
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)
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)
Publications
IUCN Guidelines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas (2020)
Other IUCN geoheritage publications
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
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
