Chronicle of the I Workshop on Geological Heritage and Geodiversity

On October 9, 10, and 11, the I Workshop on Geological Heritage and Geodiversity took place at Can Trona (La Vall d’en Bas), organized in coordination with the Centre for Territorial Sustainability, Fundació Girona, the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC), the University of Girona: Campus for Cultural and Natural Heritage, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the UNAM Institute of Geosciences, and the Triángulo Sagrado Geopark (Mexico).

Unlike previous geological heritage seminars organized by CST, this year's workshop focused on creating an open space for discussion to gather insights on the main opportunities and threats currently facing geological heritage and geodiversity. For this reason, the workshop lasted three days and included both presentations and field trips.

During the sessions, practical case studies on geological heritage and geodiversity were presented from different perspectives: the creation of geological inventories and associated research; outreach and education; management and conservation; and applicable legal frameworks.

Regarding inventories, the geologist Miquel Casas shared his ongoing inventory work in the Ter-Freser Natural Park and the Núria Valley. In this region, ski slope construction has impacted sites of geological interest, and the hope is that this inventory will help protect these elements in the future. Meanwhile, geologist Isaac Camps presented the (peri-)urban inventory he is compiling for the city of Terrassa, highlighting the importance of urban inventories in promoting geology's daily relevance and their educational value, as they identify sites of geological interest near schools, facilitating educational visits.

In the area of outreach, Dr. Llorenç Planagumà, Agustí López, and Dr. Joan Martí presented geological itineraries as a way to discover a location's geology on foot, specifically through the example of the volcanic caldera of Estac, where a trail with informational panels has been developed to raise awareness.

Additionally, thanks to Dr. Gerardo Aguirre and Geraldine Vázquez from UNAM, attendees learned about the Geoparque Triángulo Sagrado project underway in the Mexican state of Querétaro. Following their presentations, discussions highlighted how combining geological heritage with other forms of heritage (social, cultural, culinary) can attract a wider audience, and how new technologies (mapping, 3D) can also aid in these efforts.

On a broader note, Iris Schneider discussed communication in geology through the case study of the Catalan Water Agency’s drought-risk communication campaigns, which sparked reflections on how to communicate geological heritage to raise public interest.

In the education field, Octavi Bonet from the environmental education organization Tosca shared best practices in didactic activities, including the Volcanoschool and Young Volcandpark projects. These programs focus on imparting knowledge through hands-on learning and skill development, simulating a scientific conference for young people, with visits to geological sites of interest (such as La Garrotxa volcanoes) and collaboration between schools in Olot and Barcelona.

Mireia Jiménez, a hydrogeologist, presented a case study on environmental education with students from Les Planes School in the Brugent River framework, where groundwater was also studied as a geological element. She emphasized the importance of reconnecting people with nature.

In terms of management and conservation, a significant lack of geologists working in these areas was highlighted, resulting in geology being often overshadowed by flora and fauna. This situation should be addressed to ensure balanced focus. On the legal side, regulatory gaps specific to geological heritage and geodiversity in Catalonia present a challenge for the future.

The field trip to the El Pasteral caves (La Cellera de Ter) allowed participants to exchange ideas and explore the best conservation and preservation practices for this geological site.

Finally, on Friday morning, participants visited the Central Catalonia Geopark, including a tour of the visitor center and a field trip to the salt mines. This was a valuable opportunity to share experiences between Mexico and Catalonia, with new ideas emerging for advancing the Triángulo Sagrado Geopark project.

This first edition of the Workshop has allowed the identification of key threats and opportunities related to each of the topics discussed (inventories and research; education and outreach; management and conservation; legal frameworks). These insights are expected to help create a roadmap, and in the next edition, to assess the progress made and the areas where further work is needed.