UNESCO Global Geoparks are single unified geographical areas and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. These designated areas give local people and communities a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area. The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses is stimulated as new sources or revenue are generated through geotourism. With UNESCO formally creating the Global Global Geoparks program in November 2015, the Global Geoparks Network 2016 conference held in the UK in September afforded the first opportunity to discuss new protocols and key issues for UNESCO Global Geopark nomination. This conference also afforded the opportunity for representatives of Ecotourism Australia's Geotourism Forum to attend given that Australia is now progressing two Pre-Aspiring UNESCO Global Geoparks. The Geotourism Forum representatives were able to learn from both the experience of existing UNESCO Global Geoparks and other pre-aspiring and aspiring nominations from other countries such as the UK, Canada and the USA. In particular, insights were gleaned about timeframes necessary to develop successful nominations, the imperative of community engagement as well as the emerging issue of geoparks been seen to contributing towards community health and wellbeing. Given that geopark development in Australia is now being considered as a valuable mechanism to drive regional development, the presentation will address these issues and provide some highly relevant pointers for community groups and government agencies seeking to progress other nominated areas.

1. ““UNESCO Global Geoparks - Pointers forUNESCO Global Geoparks - Pointers for
AustraliaAustralia - GlobalEco 2016- GlobalEco 2016
Angus M RobinsonAngus M Robinson
Geotourism Forum, Ecotourism AustraliaGeotourism Forum, Ecotourism Australia

2. Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda
 UNESCO Global GeoparksUNESCO Global Geoparks
 Australian Pre-Aspiring UNESCO Global GeoparksAustralian Pre-Aspiring UNESCO Global Geoparks
 Australia- China ‘Sister Park’ OpportunitiesAustralia- China ‘Sister Park’ Opportunities
 Take AwaysTake Aways

3. Founded in 1945 - 193 member states
UNESCO
Man and the BiosphereMan and the Biosphere
World HeritageWorld Heritage
UNESCO Global GeoparksUNESCO Global Geoparks

4. UNESCO ProgramsUNESCO Programs (after Dowling, 2016)(after Dowling, 2016)
Program Sites Countries
World Heritage 1052 165
Man and the
Biosphere 669 120
UNESCO Global
Geoparks 120 33

5. Australia’s UNESCO SitesAustralia’s UNESCO Sites (after Dowling, 2016)(after Dowling, 2016)
Program Sites
World Heritage 22
Man and the Biosphere 14
UNESCO Global GeoparksUNESCO Global Geoparks 00

6. UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS
Where are the geoparks?
There are 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks spread across 33 countries and 5 continents. This includes 69 in
Europe as part of the European Geoparks Network (founded in 2000) and 46 in the Asia-Pacific region as part of
the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (founded in 2009).
Geoparques
Mundiais da
UNESCO
Organização
das Nações Unidas
para a Educação,
Ciência e Cultura

7. Map - Distribution of ChineseMap - Distribution of Chinese
geoparks with global statusgeoparks with global status
Global Geoparks of China 2016
33 Global Geoparks33 Global Geoparks
in Chinain China

8. Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global GeoparkImmersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Geopark

9. UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS
IS A GEOPARK JUST ABOUT GEOLOGY?IS A GEOPARK JUST ABOUT GEOLOGY?
No!No! While a geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance,While a geopark must demonstrate geological heritage of international significance, thethe
purpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geologicalpurpose of a geopark is to explore, develop and celebrate the links between that geological
heritage and all other aspects of the areas natural, cultural and intangible heritagesheritage and all other aspects of the areas natural, cultural and intangible heritages. It is aboutIt is about
reconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how ourreconnecting human society at all levels to the planet we all call home and to celebrate how our
planet and it’s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and ourplanet and it’s 4,600 million year long history has shaped every aspect of our lives and our
societiessocieties..
Zhanjiajie, China
UNESCO Global Geoparks are
single, unified geographical areassingle, unified geographical areas
where sites and landscapes of
international geologicalinternational geological
significancesignificance are managed with amanaged with a
holistic concept of protection,holistic concept of protection,
education and sustainableeducation and sustainable
developmentdevelopment.

10. Global Geoparks vs National ParksGlobal Geoparks vs National Parks
 Unlike World Heritage Areas and national parksUnlike World Heritage Areas and national parks,,
Global GeoparksGlobal Geoparks can embracecan embrace both protected andboth protected and
any resource extraction areas,any resource extraction areas, focusing onfocusing on
sustainable development objectives.sustainable development objectives.
 Global GeoparksGlobal Geoparks focus onfocus on community engagementcommunity engagement
and ownershipand ownership ..
 Whilst national parks are created in perpetuity,Whilst national parks are created in perpetuity, thethe
status of global geoparks are reviewed every 4status of global geoparks are reviewed every 4
yearsyears..
 In AustraliaIn Australia, national parks focus generally only on, national parks focus generally only on
biodiversity at the expense of geological heritage.biodiversity at the expense of geological heritage.

11. GeoparksGeoparks
Geoparks areGeoparks are both aboth a
developmentdevelopment conceptconcept
as well as aas well as a brandingbranding
tooltool.. They achieveThey achieve
these goals throughthese goals through::
1.1.ConservationConservation
2.2.EducationEducation
3.3.GeotourismGeotourism

13. National Landscapes & UNESCO Global GeoparksNational Landscapes & UNESCO Global Geoparks
 HaveHave similar goalssimilar goals relating to local development andrelating to local development and
community engagementcommunity engagement as well as education andas well as education and
experiential tourismexperiential tourism (‘geotourism’).(‘geotourism’).
 BothBoth require government approvalrequire government approval but withbut with differentdifferent
government stakeholdersgovernment stakeholders..
 However, the AustralianHowever, the Australian National LandscapeNational Landscape
ProgrammeProgramme has been formerly disbandoned by itshas been formerly disbandoned by its
government sponsors, but thegovernment sponsors, but the iconic landscapes andiconic landscapes and
their communities are still very much in placetheir communities are still very much in place!!

14. Geotourism – Diversity of PlacesGeotourism – Diversity of Places
GeotourismGeotourism
IconsIcons
(Inc National Landscapes)
Mine Sites
National ParksNational Parks/Reserves//Reserves/
Urban ParksUrban Parks
GeotrailsGeotrails
Geo-sitesGeo-sites
Geoparks/Geoparks/
PaleoParksPaleoParks
Caves/Karst Areas
LandformsLandforms
WHAsWHAs
Geo VillagesGeo Villages

15. Geoparks and Community EngagementGeoparks and Community Engagement
Geoparks =Geoparks =
CommunityCommunity
EngagementEngagement
Mine SitesMine Sites
National Parks/Reserves/National Parks/Reserves/
Urban ParksUrban Parks
GeotrailsGeotrails
Geo-sitesGeo-sites
Geo VillagesGeo Villages

16. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring WarrumbunglesWarrumbungles
UNESCO Global Geopark,UNESCO Global Geopark,
New South WalesNew South Wales
Outstanding shield volcanoOutstanding shield volcano
remnant landforms close to aremnant landforms close to a
major coal development areamajor coal development area
located in thelocated in the WarrumbunglesWarrumbungles
National ParkNational Park (236 square km(236 square km
area) at thearea) at the intersection of theintersection of the
three local government areas.three local government areas.

17. The Proposed Savannah Way Geotrail linked to the Pre-Aspiring
Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark in the state of Queensland

18. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global Geopark, QueenslandEtheridge UNESCO Global Geopark, Queensland
Comprising theComprising the entire Shire of Etheridgeentire Shire of Etheridge,,
and including areas of outstanding volcanicand including areas of outstanding volcanic
and mining heritage - embracing someand mining heritage - embracing some
40,000 sq km. Its key attractions are40,000 sq km. Its key attractions are
geotourism & not ecotourism focusedgeotourism & not ecotourism focused

19. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global GeoparkEtheridge UNESCO Global Geopark
 The Pre-Aspiring Etheridge Global Geopark embraces a complex groupingcomplex grouping
of rocksof rocks which also host gold deposits, notably the former Kidston mine.
 The Etheridge Province also include significant occurrences of gemstonessignificant occurrences of gemstones,
notably agates and topaz, as well as hot springs attractionshot springs attractions.
 Two geological events feature as iconic geotourism attractionsiconic geotourism attractions in the
region, the most significant of which is the Undara Lava Tube systemUndara Lava Tube system,
truly unique in the world based on consideration of age, preservation and
lineal extent, as well as the geomorphological expressions within flat-
lying sediments at Cobbold GorgeCobbold Gorge.
 All the landforms in the area contain unique biodiversity characteristicsunique biodiversity characteristics
including a rich assemblage of birdliferich assemblage of birdlife.
 Committed input from the Ewamian Aboriginal communityEwamian Aboriginal community is sure to
identify sites exhibiting rich indigenous culturerich indigenous culture.

20. Pre-AspiringPre-Aspiring Etheridge UNESCO Global GeoparkEtheridge UNESCO Global Geopark
 GeositesGeosites – In abundance, with Undara as a global
icon.
 Geo villagesGeo villages – Georgetown, Mt Surprise, Forsayth,
Einasleigh, all with community engaged geosites
(including gem fields); key established ecotourismecotourism
resortsresorts of Undara and Cobbold Gorge.
 GeotrailsGeotrails – As well as the Savannah Way (Lava tubes,
Gems and Gorges Trail) with connections to
Chillagoe, Mt Garnet, Croydon etc.
 National Parks – Undara National Parks plus seven
others.


26. Australia-China Memorandum of CooperationAustralia-China Memorandum of Cooperation
The GSA and the Geological Society of ChinaThe GSA and the Geological Society of China
Executed June 2016Executed June 2016
 The Australia-China relationship is becoming moreThe Australia-China relationship is becoming more
importantimportant with the increasing level of economic,with the increasing level of economic,
social and cultural activities in the coming decades.social and cultural activities in the coming decades.
 The Memorandum of Cooperation will be focusedThe Memorandum of Cooperation will be focused
onon growing and enhancing best practice nature-growing and enhancing best practice nature-
based tourism (i.e. geotourism)based tourism (i.e. geotourism) in both countries.in both countries.
 Tourism park managers could play a significant roleTourism park managers could play a significant role
inin establishing ‘sister’ relationships between parks,establishing ‘sister’ relationships between parks,
as a key driver of future geotourism.as a key driver of future geotourism.

27. Establishing Ties Amongst ParksEstablishing Ties Amongst Parks
 Can be in form ofCan be in form of ‘sister‘sister
parks’,parks’, field study andfield study and
training centres, jointtraining centres, joint
research projects,research projects,
management staff or guidemanagement staff or guide
exchange programs.exchange programs.
 ‘‘Sister Park’ relationshipSister Park’ relationship
can be acan be a holistic approachholistic approach
to implement these jointto implement these joint
projects.projects.
IndonesianIndonesian delegation visiting Chinese geopark

28. Take-AwaysTake-Aways
1.1. For Australia, Geoparks are the new National Landscapes!For Australia, Geoparks are the new National Landscapes!
2.2. GeoparksGeoparks have ahave a well established global network.well established global network.
3.3. International visitors know and want to visit global geoparks.International visitors know and want to visit global geoparks.
4.4. Geoparks foster community-based, sustainable, regional,Geoparks foster community-based, sustainable, regional,
economic development – a model ideally suited for Australia.economic development – a model ideally suited for Australia.
5.5. To remain competitive in global markets, Australia needsTo remain competitive in global markets, Australia needs
global geoparks. We are the only continent without them!global geoparks. We are the only continent without them!

29. Contact DetailsContact Details
angus@leisuresolutions.com.auangus@leisuresolutions.com.au
Tel: + 61 418 488 340Tel: + 61 418 488 340
http://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/index.php/geotourism-industry-groupshttp://www.leisuresolutions.com.au/index.php/geotourism-industry-groups//