EuropEan GEoparks WEEk 202024th May to 7th June 2020

In 2000, four institutions from Germany, Greece, France and Spain came together and made a groundbreaking decision: together they founded the European Geopark Network (EGN).

The focus was on the protection of our geological herita-ge, its connection to nature and culture, the mediation and touristic valorization as well as sustainable regional development. This requires an understandable, exciting transfer of knowledge: about our planet, our role and also responsibility as people to preserve our heritage. And finally, to further develop this together with partners and towards the future.

In light of the global changes on our planet the holistic approach, which Geoparks implement in their regions is more than topical. Respect for nature, sustainable use of our resources, conservation, awareness raising, partners-hips and international understanding are part of the tasks to which the UNESCO Global Geoparks are committed not only in Europe, but worldwide. The Global Agenda 2030 is moving more and more into the foreground, because with these approaches the Geoparks are already supporting many of the United Nations‘ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Therefore, UNESCO has declaired the Geoparks worldwi-de to be model regions - for communicating the Global Agenda 2030 on the basis of concrete and comprehensible projects and activities on site.

20European

yearsGeoparks

During the European Geopark Week 2020, which takes place under the motto „Understand the past - shape the future“, we invite you to join us on a journey of discovery into the millions of years of geological history, the diver-se natural landscape and the fascinating culture of our region.

The information facilities of the Geo-Naturepark as well as the Geopark on-site teams of the member communities as well as other cooperation partners contribute to the varied program. And in this special year we are breaking new ground and are looking to the future with confidence. We are convinced that the European Geopark Week as an action by people for people, regionally and internationally, will continue to make an important contribution to coope-ration across borders.

Look forward to an exciting and diverse European Geopark Week on our Facebook page with lots of information and impressive pictures of our regional partners and Geoparks across Europe. Follow us on

www.facebook.com/geo.naturparkAt that time, no one could have guessed how success-ful this combination would turn out: within 20 years the number of members increased from 4 to 76 in 26 European countries. But it is not just that - in 2004 the European Geopark Network was the successful model for UNESCO to establish the Global Geopark Network (GGN) and ultimately for the „International Geosciences & Geo-parks Program“, which was launched in 2015.

Thus, the EGN has essentially contributed to the success of the UNESCO program, which currently includes 147 UNESCO Global Geoparks worldwide.

The Geo-Naturepark Bergstrasse-Odenwald, member of the EGN since 2002, has taken over a number of compre-hensive network tasks, given impulses and also brought good ideas home. It is always about learning from each other and working together to achieve the best benefit for the regions. The geological, geographic and cultural diversity that the Geoparks reflect shows one thing above all: the valuability of our planet, the importance and meanwhile urgency of it´s ressources protection and our common responsibililty to act in this way.

Join us on a journey through the region and Europe from 24th May to 7th June!

www.facebook.com/geo.naturpark

European Geoparks Week 2020

In the anniversary year of the EGN, the “European Geo-park Week” in the Geo-Naturepark Bergstrasse-Odenwald became a brand new face. Brand new? Not really, because the community is the link between regional and inter-national actions every year. TOGETHER: with creative and committed partners in the region, with adventurous and curious visitors and the colorful diversity of Geoparks all over Europe. Together we explore the region, celebrate small and large festivals, learn with and from each other and last but not least we always have a good time toge-ther.

This year we will celebrate this collaboration and cohesion a little differently.Join us on a virtual journey through the region and Europe from 24th May to 7th June. Each day on our Facebook page we give an insight into the activities of the many partners in the Geo-Naturepark and dive into breath-taking pictures of other European Geoparks.

With this action, we would also like to thank deeply tor the longstanding good cooperation! To our partners in the EGN and in the region: the Geopark Rangers, the Geopark on-site teams, the information centres, the cooperation partners, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the towns and cities in the area of the Geo-Naturepark Bergstrasse-Odenwald.

European Geoparks

Geopark Ranger

Cities & Municipalities

Contakt & InformationGeo-Naturepark Bergstrasse-Odenwald (UNESCO Global Geopark)Phone: +49 (0)6251-70799-22m.mueller@geo-naturpark.dewww.geo-naturpark.dewww.facebook.com/geo.naturparkwww.europeangeoparks.org

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Geopark on-site Teams

Information Centres

Cooperation Partners

Internationally, the “European Geopark Week” is celebrated with countless events every year. Each Geopark gives these days of action a very special note. This exchange reflects, the wonderful diversity of our continent. In the past few years, the number of trans-European activities and events has increased considerably from 450 to 1150. This has resul-ted in many collaborations and a fruitful exchange.

See for further information: www.europeangeoparks.org

According the motto „nature with the professional“, unfor-gettable landscape tours and „geo and enjoyment hikes“ by the Geopark rangers are just as much a part of the offer as family-friendly natural and environmental issues. The name „Geopark Ranger“ stands for quality, because many rangers are geoscientists or biologists, all have a compre-hensive training in the Geo-Naturepark and solid further training courses e.g. in pedagogy and communication.

A successful concept that was decisive for similar models in other Geoparks across Europe.

“Geopark on-site” is a program whose training offer is ai-med at people in the municipalities of the Geo-Naturepark who want to present their immediate surroundings to

visitors. The focus is on people from the region as experts for their home landscape. Authentic regional knowledge is to be reactivated in the Geo-Naturepark and thus preser-ved for future generations - a sustainable contribution to strengthening the regional identity.

The teams enrich the (experience of) life in the Geo-Na-turepark with many creative tours and activities throug-hout the year.

The Geo-Naturepark Bergstrasse-Odenwald combines an attractive natural and cultural area, which covers an area of 3800 square kilometers. In order to show this diversi-ty to all visitors and make it accessible, over 20 entrance gates, information centers and environmental education stations have been set up throughout the region. In ad-dition to flyers and brochures on the diverse topics of the Geo-Naturepark as well as hiking and cycling maps, special features of the region can be experienced as an exhibition in some centers.

Cooperation and joint projects are important pillars in the daily work of the Geo-Naturepark. The spectrum of the partners ranges from the International Forest Art Asso-ciation through schools and universities up to the orchard rescuers. Cooperation is just as important for the further development of the region as international connections. For example, the Geo-Naturepark created the first forest art trail in China together with the International Forest Art Association - in the partner Geopark Mt. Lushan.

In the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald there are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the fossil site Messel Pit in the north, the Lorsch Abbey in the west and the Upper-Germanic Roman Limes in the east. The particularly intensive cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Messel Pit and Lorsch Abbey was again pioneering for other European Geoparks. On site, the world heritage sites provide a close-up view of the earth‘s history and cultural heritage with exhibitions, guided tours and actions.

The counties, cities and municipalities are the backbone of the Geo-Naturepark. With over 100 members, many hands work together to preserve the diversity of the region, to provide a functioning infrastructure, to implement projects together, to enable events for the population and visitors, to act sustainably and thus to move forward into the future. It is a dynamic network developed by the Geo-Naturepark that supports each other.

Photos: European Geoparks Network (front page, map of Europe), Geo-Naturepark Bergstrasse-Odenwald