EGDI is EuroGeoSurveys’ European Geological Data Infrastructure. It provides access to Pan-European and national geological datasets and services from the Geological Survey Organisations of Europe.
EGDI is central to our key strategy to establish a Geological Service for Europe, and underpins European Commission strategies in areas where geological data and information are vital.
Online Lecture: Safeguarding Geoheritage: Best Practices from Protected Areas
March 18 - 16:00 › 17:30
| Online
Watch the recording:
Agenda
16:00-17:30 (CET)
16:00-16:10 Introduction by Kirstin Lemon, Chair of the Geoheritage Expert Group (BGS, Northern Ireland)
16:10-16:30 ‘Management of geoheritage in protected areas’ by Enrique Díaz-Martínez (IGME-CSIC, Spain)
16:30-16:50 ‘UNESCO Global Geoparks and protected areas: examples from the UK’ by Kirstin Lemon (BGS, Northern Ireland)
16:50-17:10 ‘Protected areas and geoconservation in Slovenia’ by Matevž Novak (GeoZS, Slovenia)
17:10-17:30 Q&A
Description
‘Management of geoheritage in protected areas’ by Enrique Díaz-Martínez
Proper management of geoheritage in protected areas involves identifying, inventorying, and assessing geological heritage sites to integrate them into strategy and action plans. Unlike habitats and species, geoheritage is a non-renewable natural resource, and the objective of geoconservation is to protect selected sites from potential threats. The process includes establishing conservation practices, promoting sustainable geotourism, and monitoring impacts to balance conservation with public use, as guided by IUCN protected area management categories.
‘UNESCO Global Geoparks and protected areas: examples from the UK’ by Kirstin Lemon
UNESCO Global Geoparks are seen as exemplars for geoconservation with internationally important geological heritage central to their designation. However, the way in which each UNESCO Global Geopark protects their geological heritage varies depending on several factors including their management structure and legal status. Drawing on practical examples from the UK, this session will highlight effective management approaches, community engagement strategies, and innovative partnerships that support the long-term protection of geological sites. This webinar offers valuable insights into how protected area frameworks can strengthen geoheritage conservation while fostering education, sustainable tourism, and local pride.
‘Protected areas and geoconservation in Slovenia’ by Matevž Novak
Protected geoheritage areas that are inhabited face the challenge of balancing preservation of the natural environment with human interventions for economic needs and safety purposes. Dovžanova soteska (Dovžan Gorge) is one of the most interesting geological sites in Slovenia, revealing a long section of Late Paleozoic rocks. It is one of the most fossil-rich areas in the Southern Alps and has high scientific and historical significance. Since 1988, it has been protected as a natural monument. Due to the geological structure, steep terrain, and the torrential flow, the area is subject to rapid and significant natural changes, which are particularly intense during extreme weather events and can cause material damage. The Dovžan Gorge has been proven to be an excellent site for studying natural processes, anthropogenic influences, and human perception of natural disasters and historical memory of them.
About the lecturers
Kirstin Lemon
Science Programme Manager with the British Geological Survey, based in Northern Ireland. She is actively involved in advancing best practices for safeguarding geoheritage, supporting knowledge exchange, geoscience communication and outreach, and promoting the integration of geoscience into wider environmental and community initiatives. Kirstin is one of 12 nominated members of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, a Senior Evaluator for UNESCO Global Geoparks and a member of the European Geoparks Network Coordination Committee. Kirstin is the current Chair of the Irish Geoparks Network and a former Chair of the UK Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks. She is the UK national contact point for the IUGS 100 Geological Heritage Sites initiative and has been a member of the EuroGeoSurveys Geoheritage Expert Group since 2021, taking over as Chair in 2025.
Enrique Díaz-Martínez
Senior scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) since 1998. Since 2004, he has worked primarily on geoconservation projects, including inventories, legislation, management, training, consulting, and public outreach. The results of his research include more than 200 scientific publications and more than 30 popular science publications. He has worked for over 30 years in positions related to geoconservation, the latest including founding member and Chair of EuroGeoSurveys Geoheritage Expert Group (2021-2025), and secretary of the SCAR Expert Group on Geological Heritage and Geoconservation (EG-GEOCON) since 2022.
Matevž Novak
Senior scientist at the Geological Survey of Slovenia since 2000. His fields of expertise are Paleozoic biostratigraphy, (micro)paleontology, sedimentology, geological mapping and geological natural heritage. President of the Slovenian National Committee for International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), corresponding member of IUGS subcommissions on Carboniferous Stratigraphy (SCCS) and on Heritage Stone (HS), member of EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) Expert Groups on Geological Mapping and Modelling (GMMEG) and on Geoheritage (GhEG). He is involved in education, the interpretation of geological heritage and the popularisation of geological science.
Related Works:
Gordon, J.E., Crofts, R., Díaz-Martínez, E., Woo, K.S., 2018. Enhancing the role of geoconservation in protected area management and nature conservation. Geoheritage, 10, 191-203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-017-0240-5
Novak, M. 2024: Addressing geohazards in populated geoheritage sites: the case of Dovžan Gorge Natural Monument in Slovenia. In: 37th International Geological Congress, Busan, Korea, 25-31 August 2024, abstract book, 3697.
NOVAK, M. 2023: The educational and touristic potential of natural stone in urban Geoheritage of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. In: III International Workshop-cum-Seminar on Natural Stones and Conservation of Heritage Stones, Jaipur–Makrana–Agra, 1st to 6th December, 2023, abstract volume, 9-11.
