John Macadam / Earthwords, geologist & writer

12.10.07

geoconservation and geotourism sites worldwide ... and courses in geoconservation worldwide

 World

• UNESCO Earth Science   UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

• UNESCO Global Geoparks Network .... see also Geoparks page

 Europe

• ProGEO - the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage. There are links to the websites of country groups (e.g. Norway, Croatia, Portugal and Denmark. The UK branch is called BIGC - the British Institute for Geological Conservation).

• Geological map of Western Europe (from Dr Ian West)

  France

The energetic ammonite gets you to the Geological Reserve at Thouars in SW France (the ammonites in the quarry were used to set up what geologists call the ' Toarcian', part of the Jurassic).  From this site you can get to information on the other French national geological reserves.                                                                             

• Geological Reserve of Haute-Provence synthesises spectacular geology, culture and sustainable tourism.  The reserve is a European Geopark. 

• Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park

• Vulcania - a visitor centre which opened in 2003 in the Massif Central.

• Géodrome - the visitor centre showing the geology of the whole of France.  It's set in a services stop on the A10 (Paris - Orléans motorway) near Orléans.  As well as Fadièse, their blue hard-hatted mole logo, the centre has an 'animatrice scientifique' - a real live geologist who speaks jargon-free geology (unless you're a geologist and want the jargon).  Excellent translations available in English - just ask.  Read an an article I wrote about it for Down to Earth in 2000 (admission details may have changed).

  Germany

• Vulkaneifel Geopark, Germany.  Yes, another European Geopark, where you may meet Willi Basalt.

  Greece

• Petrified Forest in Lesvos, in the northern Aegean.  Another European Geopark, and an article you can read about it, from Down to Earth, in 2001.

  Portugal

• Parque Paleozoico

  Slovenia

• Skocjanske-jame cave, a World Heritage Site

• Triglav National Park, in the karst

• Idrija Mine, a mercury mine

• Idrija Mine Museum

• Mezica  - Peca Mine

• Coal Mining Museum

  Spain

• Lithica - conserved quarries in Menorca where they also have jazz concerts.

  United Kingdom

• JNCC- Joint Nature Conservation Commission

• Scottish Natural Heritage

• Countryside Council for Wales

•  Natural England - examples of protected sites (SSSIs - Sites of Special Scientific Interest)

• BIGC - the British Institute for Geological Conservation

• Geological map of the UK (an old map, but copyright free)

 Americas

  Canada

• Dinosaur Provincial Park

  USA

• US National Parks' geology - this link takes you straight to the geology of the parks.  Choose your park: Mount St Helens, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Yosemite, Petrified Forest ..... Lots of images, in 3-D if you have the specs.

• Maryland - Sideling Hill road cut through a fold (a syncline) in the Appalachians, and a visitor centre

• Mammoth site museum

• Dinosaur Ridge National Landmark near Denver (if you go be sure to visit the terminal building of Denver's new airport to see its use of stone)                                                 

 Asia

 Australasia

  Australia

• The shaping of Tasmania

Courses in geoconservation worldwide

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