The Global Network of National Geoparks, assisted by UNESCO, provides a platform of active cooperation between experts and practitioners in geological heritage. Under the umbrella of UNESCO, and through exchange between the global network partners, important national geological sites gain worldwide recognition and profit through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, experience and staff with other Geoparks.
Historic sites where cultural events were tied to an area’s geologic features, such as those in the history of geology, mining and geology in early exploration and settlement
A Geopark promotes sustainable tourism and other economic activities
Individual countries may designate their own National Geoparks, but Canada is still in the process of defining a national program. Global GeoParks are designated by the Global GeoParks Network, which is supported by UNESCO
Canadian National Committee
The Canadian National Committee for Geoparks was established in 2009 by the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences
The Canadian National Committee is the national vetting committee for Geopark proposals, prior to these being submitted to the Global Geoparks Network. The Committee further encourages and assists Canadian communities to conserve and celebrate the geodiversity of Canada and support local economic and cultural development, through the formation of Geoparks. The committee cooperates with the US Geoparks working group in order to establish a North American Geoparks Network, comparable to that in Europe (www.europeangeoparks.org).
Members of the Canadian National Committee
Godfrey Nowlan (Interim Chair),
Geological Survey of Canada, Calgary, gnowlan@NRcan.gc.ca
David Boerner,
Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa
Peter Bobrowsky,
Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa
Jenna Boon,
Joggins Fossil Institute, Amherst, NS
Allan Donaldson,
Carleton University, Ottawa
Jeff Hunston,
Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon
Bill Mercer,
President CFES/FCST, Toronto, ON
Randy Miller,
New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, NB
Pierre Verpaelst,
Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et de la Faune, Quebec, QC
Observers
Dominique Potvin,
Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Ottawa, ON
Wesley Hil,
Geological Society of America, Denver, CO, USA
Ex officio
Elisabeth Kosters (ex officio)
Managing Director, CFES/FCST, Wolfville, NS, cfes@magma.ca
