European Geoparks Network
‘…A European Geopark is an area which includes a particular geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy supported by a European programme. It must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development and comprise a certain number of geological sites of particular importance in terms of their scientific quality, rarity, aesthetic appeal and educational value. The majority of sites must be part of the geological heritage, but their interest may also be archaeological, ecological, historical or cultural.
The sites must be linked in a network and benefit from protection and management measures. A European Geopark has an active role in the economic development of its territory through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of geotourism.
A European Geopark develops, experiments and enhances methods for preserving the geological heritage and supports education, enhancement and sustainable development policies in relation to the natural environment and the training and development of scientific research in various Earth Sciences disciplines.
A European Geopark must work within the European Geopark Network to further the network's contraction and cohesion. It must work with local enterprises to promote and support the creation of new by-products linked with the geological heritage in a spirit of complementarity with other European Geoparks Network members…’
Excerpted from the European Geopark Charter, 2000
Members of the European Geoparks Network
- Arouca Geopark - PORTUGAL
- Bergstrasse-Odenwald Geopark - GERMANY
- Bohemian Paradise Geopark - CZECH REPUBLIC
- Cabo de Gata - Nijar Natural Park - Andalucia - SPAIN
- Chelmos-Vouraikos Geopark - GREECE
- Copper Coast Geopark - EIRE
- English Riviera - ENGLAND, UK
- Fforest Fawr Geopark - WALES, UK
- Gea Norvegica – NORWAY
- Geo & Naturepark TERRA-vita - GERMANY
- Geological Mining Park of Sardinia - ITALY
- Geo Mon - WALES, UK
- Geopark Harz. Braunschweiger Land Ostfal - GERMANY
- Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark – ROMANIA
- Lochaber Geopark – SCOTLAND - UK
- Luberon, Parc Naturel Regional - FRANCE
- Marble Arch Caves European Geopark – NORTHERN IRELAND & EIRE
- Naturpark Steirische Eisenwurzen – AUSTRIA
- Naturtejo Geopark – PORTUGAL
- North Pennines AONB & European Geopark - ENGLAND, UK
- North West Highlands – SCOTLAND, UK
- Papuk Geopark - CROATIA
- Parco de Beigua - ITALY
- Parco delle Madonie - ITALY
- Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta - ITALY
- Parque Cultural del Maestrazgo - SPAIN
- Petrified Forest of Lesvos - GREECE
- Psiloritis Natural Park - GREECE
- Réserve Géologique de Haute - Provence - FRANCE
- Rocca di Cerere Geopark - ITALY
- Shetland Geopark - SCOTLAND
- Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park – Andalucia – SPAIN
- Sobrarbe Geopark – Aragon – SPAIN
- Swabian Alps Geopark - GERMANY
- Vulkaneifel European Geopark – GERMANY
