246 Best Practices for Developing International Collaborations in the Geosciences

This session invites presentations on successful scientist to scientist international collaborations in the geosciences in research and educational activities, focussing on how they developed and keys to their success. It will also explore how organizations can help foster international collaborations/engagements.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 301A

UNESCO Global Geoparks in North America: A Model for Reconnecting Humanity with our Geoheritage

Paper number: 246-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:40 AM – 8:55 AM

Authors

Abstract

The International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme is now represented by 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 50 countries worldwide belonging to the Global Geoparks Network. The essence of a UNESCO Global Geopark is that it be a grassroots, community-driven initiative. This fundamental requirement assures that cultural heritage considers its foundational connection to the Earth, in many respects returning full circle to the relationship long held by Indigenous peoples but largely lost in our growing urbanization. It is therefore not surprising that the seven UNESCO Global Geoparks in Canada and Mexico tend to be located in rural settings, and draw heavily on Indigenous leadership and lessons; Mixteca Alta UNESCO Global Geopark (Oaxaca, Mexico), Cliffs of Fundy UGGP (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Tumbler Ridge UGGP (British Columbia, Canada) serve as examples – imperfect, but striving to reconcile colonial history and to learn from the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge. The mutual respect for Indigenous and western scientific ways of explaining our geoheritage has been described by Mi’kmaq elder Albert Marshall as ‘Two-Eyed Seeing; it presents geoscientists and others a challenge to be less dogmatic about the over-arching ‘truth’ of science. UNESCO Global Geoparks must also demonstrate somewhere within its boundaries of at least one geosite of international significance, adjudicated by the International Union of Geological Sciences. Of the 200 geological heritage sites of the world currently celebrated by the IUGS, 38 occur within UNESCO Global Geoparks. Geoparks are not the exclusive domain of geoscientists however; they are opportunities to bring geoheritage both to local residents and to visitors. This essential bridge demands of geoscientists the translation of scientific terminology and concepts for the general public, a skill set that is perhaps rarer than sites of international significance.  Ultimately, UNESCO Global Geoparks strive to bring sustainable economic growth to largely rural regions while empowering the local people who call them home.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-411994

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