The U.S. National Committee for Geological Sciences is hosting a series of activities to celebrate America’s Geoheritage during fall 2020 through early 2021. Geoheritage sites are limited and irreplaceable natural resources that have high value for the geoscience community in support of scientific research, education, and outreach to the community; as an economic driver by promoting geotourism; by demonstrating the close linkages between natural history and culture; and in their aesthetic value. The goal of this national Geoheritage initiative is to introduce the concepts of Geoheritage to the geoscience community and showcase the variety of contributions of many stakeholders, and to engage the geoscience community to identify and develop geoheritage sites across the nation for the enjoyment and use by all citizens. The Geoheritage initiative has two components:

1. America’s Geoheritage II Workshop: Identifying, Developing, and Preserving America’s Natural Legacy. The virtual workshop will be heldin two parts:

A. Distinguished Speakers Webinar Series, fall 2020. The webinar series will introduce the geoscience community to the underlying concepts of Geoheritage, to develop a shared vision of how to develop and utilize Geoheritage sites for the benefit of the geoscience and civic communities, and to identify the needs and opportunities for the geoscience community to become involved with Geoheritage. The series of eight webinars will be presented on Tuesdays at 11ET/10CT/9MT/8PT and is open to all geoscientists and colleagues in allied fields who are interested in identifying and preserving America’s natural heritage for future generations. The Webinar Series will serve to create a shared community vision for future development of America’s Geoheritage, and to prepare participants to contribute to the follow-up Writing Workshop.
Download the America’s Geoheritage Workshop II: Fall Distinguished Speakers Program and register for each webinar.

B. Writing Workshop, January 11-25, 2021

The writing part of the workshop will aggregate and organize community input on strategies and best practices in developing Geoheritage sites at different locations across the United States. Working groups will be convened to survey and share current strategies and approaches to identify, inventory, and characterize geoheritage sites across America. This workshop follows the 2013 America’s Geoheritage Workshop sponsored by NAS, NPS, USGS, and AGI. This part of the workshop will be convened as a virtual event and will include whole-group invited plenary talks, small writing group sessions to explore key topics, opportunities for asynchronous exploration of topics, report outs of group discussions, and informal networking opportunities to create networks and grow the Geoheritage community. The writing workshop will occur over two weeks, with 10-12 hours per week. Applications to participate in this writing workshop will be accepted through December 1, 2020.

In this virtual workshop our goal is to preserve the best aspects of face-to-face workshops while increasing access and participation of diverse groups through digital delivery. A written proceedings-in-brief will be issued summarizing both parts of the workshop.

Please mark the dates of this workshop on your calendars for the coming year, and plan to contribute your experience and vision for development of Geoheritage sites in the United States.

Background Information

America’s Geoheritage Workshop Report (March 2013)

America’s Geoheritage: Invitation to Leadership (NPS/AGI Report)

Geoheritage and Geoparks Advisory Group

2. Thematic Sessions at the Annual Geological Society of America Meeting and the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Please consider contributing to these sessions to demonstrate what types of Geoheritage projects are planned or in progress in your geographic/geologic setting. These meetings will be held in a virtual format this year, so this is a remarkable opportunity to reach a large, diverse audience.

A. GSA Annual Meeting (virtual), Oct 26-30, 2020

Session T236. Expanding Geoheritage Awareness in North America.

Abstract submission: https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2020AM/cfp.cgi

Abstract Deadline: August 4, 2020

Leaders: John H. Calder; Thomas Casadevall; and Terri L. Cook

Endorsers: GSA Geoscience Education Division; Canadian Geopark Network; Canadian Commission for UNESCO

Description: Geoheritage sites enable public understanding of geoscience, earth history, and societally important topics. This session will explore models of geoheritage recognition; geoconservation concepts; sustainable economic development; indigenous practice; and increasing public interest in the geosciences.

B. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting (virtual), Dec 7-11, 2020

Session on Geoheritage: Sites for Geoscience Research, Education and Geotourism for Future Generations

Click here to submit an abstract (Deadline: July 29, 2020).

Conveners: David Mogk (Montana State University), Ester Sztein (NAS/BISO), Margie Chan (University of Utah), Tom Casadevall (USGS)

Description: Geoheritage encompasses the legacy of landscapes, landforms, and singular features with significant scientific, educational, cultural, and/or aesthetic values that embody the connection between people, the land, and the processes that have formed, and continue to shape, our planet. The value of geoheritage sites can be found in enhanced research opportunities at iconic geologic sites, the promotion of geoscience education and outreach for learners at all levels, and in increased public awareness of the relevance and importance of the geosciences to topics of societal importance. This session explores the history, current status, and future of the geoheritage movement; spotlights new geoconservation concepts; showcases strategies, methods, and best practices in identifying, preserving, and developing geoheritage sites; explores the potential of geoheritage sites as local economic drivers; and demonstrates ways to engage the public by increasing access to geoheritage sites. This session invites contributions that demonstrate local, regional, national, and international geoheritage initiatives.

For Further Information

Contact: David Mogk, mogk@montana.edu

Ester Sztein, ESztein@nas.edu