© NERC All rights reserved IAT North American AGM, Millinocket, Maine, June2014

International Appalachian Trail:Geological Surveys – how can they help?

Hugh Barron

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What is the BGS?

− We advance understanding of the structure, properties and processes of the solid Earth system through interdisciplinary surveys, monitoring and research for the benefit of society

− BGS is the UK's premier provider of objective and authoritative geoscientific data, information and knowledge for wealth creation, sustainable use of natural resources, reducing risk and living with the impacts of environmental change

The BGS is a world-leading geological survey focusing on public-good science for government, and research to understand earth and environmental processes

Annual budget = $85 million; 50% from Government

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So how can we help?

− Promoting geodiversity*, geoheritage, and geotourism

− Making geoscience information more accessible to non-specialists

− Collaborate with other organisations e.g tourism, natural and cultural heritage bodies

*Geodiversity is the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms, sediments and soils in an area, together with active natural processes

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BGS, geoparks and geotourism

Global Geoparks:

− are territories which include a particular geological heritage of international importance and a sustainable territorial development strategy

− have strong regional identity, derived from their natural and cultural characteristics. Earth history, nature and landscape combined with cultural and regional traditions provide stimuli for developing geo-tourism

− the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) promotes geotourism, along with geoconservation, as key contributors to sustainable development of geoparks

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BGS, geoparks and geotourism

Global Geoparks:

− currently 101 Global Geoparks across the world, with 59 in Europe. Each Global Geopark differs from the next and there is no set model for Geopark development.

− strict criteria need to be met prior to the submission of an application the the GGN

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BGS, geoparks and geotourism

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BGS, geoparks and geotourism

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BGS, geoparks and geotourism

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BGS exploring landscape maps

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Meeting the Environment Minister

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The IAT on Ben Nevis, June 2009

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Neighbours on ancient continents

together in continental collisions that created great mountain ranges

separated by the opening of the Atlantic Ocean

brought back together by the IAT – a shared geological and cultural heritage

Caledonia and Appalachia