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Geopark
This much in advance: Geoparks are neither independent protected areas nor geology parks! They were originally conceived as networks of a large number of geotopes. Today, geoparks are clearly demarcated areas, whereby the outer boundaries are always also administrative boundaries (e.g. municipal or district boundaries). Each geopark has a sponsor. In Germany, these are usually non-profit associations.
The UNESCO Global Geopark Harz . Braunschweiger Land . Ostfalen, however, is supported by a company under civil law: the Geopark Harz . Braunschweiger Land . Ostfalen GbR. The Regionalverband Harz and the Braunschweiger Land-Ostfalen Geopark support association are the two sole partners of this GbR. The Regionalverband Harz is responsible for the Harzregion, the southern part of the Geopark in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
In a geopark, geotopes become windows into the history of the earth. Geotopes are formations of inanimate nature that provide insights into the development of the earth or of life. They include outcrops of rocks, soils, minerals and fossils as well as individual natural creations and natural parts of the landscape. Geotopes that are characterized by their special geological significance, rarity, uniqueness or beauty are particularly worthy of protection. Therefore, digging and collecting geological material is not permitted.
Geoparks have the same objectives:
- Protection of the geological heritage,
- promotion of regional development with the involvement of the population and
- education for sustainable development.
The bearers can apply for certification of their geopark. To this end, they work together in national or international geopark networks.
In a geopark, geotopes are also points of interest (POIs). Such POIs in the Geopark Harz . Braunschweiger Land . Ostfalen are simply called „geopoints“. In order not to lose the overview in the second largest Geopark in the world with its extraordinarily high number of geopoints, geopoints are numbered consecutively in clearly defined sub-areas. The sub-areas bear the name of a widely visible or particularly well-known point (landmark) and are themselves numbered consecutively. This creates a binary point system that facilitates orientation. The name given landmarks are always Geopoint 1 of the sub-area of the Geopark named after them.
Geopark - History
Geopark - History
In spring 2002, the Regionalverband Harz e. V. (RVH) and Freilicht- und Erlebnismuseum Ostfalen e. V. (FEMO) decided to jointly develop a geopark. After the RVH had completed significant development work in the Harz sub-area and FEMO had developed the other sub-areas, both partners founded the Geopark Harz - Braunschweiger Land - Ostfalen GbR in 2004. This is the responsible body for the joint geopark and a member of the European Geoparks Network (EGN). A certificate issued on February 11, 2005 by the responsible division of UNESCO in Paris confirms the membership of the Geopark Harz - Braunschweiger Land - Ostfalen in the Global Geoparks Network. This high recognition is limited in time and is reviewed every four years by an international inspection.
From the outset, both sponsoring associations agreed on regional responsibilities: The RVH is responsible for the Harz Mountains and the immediately adjacent foothills; FEMO is responsible for the Braunschweig Land and the area bordering the Börde district to the east. The cooperation is coordinated by a steering group with equal representation. This in turn has been advised by an advisory board since 2006. The chairman of the advisory board is Dr. habil. Volker Wilde, Head of the Paleobotany Section at the renowned Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main. His deputy is Prof. Dr. Carsten Brauckmann. He heads the Department of Palaeontology at the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology at Clausthal University of Technology K.G.
Networks
Networks
The few employees at the Regionalverband Harz‘ office in Quedlinburg alone are not able to do everything that is necessary to fulfill the association's statutory purpose in the 6986 square kilometers association area. They are dependent on the support of internal and external networks.
The internal network forms the community of members (administrative districts) and supporting members (towns and municipalities, companies and entrepreneurs, other associations) of the Regionalverband Harz. Supporting members support the Regionalverband Harz not only through regular membership fees, but also as distribution points for information material from the Nature- and Geopark and in a variety of other ways.
The membership of the Harz Association and the Geopark Harz . Braunschweiger Land . Ostfalen GbR is tantamount to give and take in the following external networks.
Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is an association founded in 2014 in Saint John (Canada) under French law. It is the worldwide association of UNESCO Global Geoparks.
European Geoparks Network (EGN) is a network founded in 2000 by four geoparks from Germany, France, Greece and Spain. It has been under the patronage of UNESCO since 2001. To a certain extent, today it is more or less the working level, a regional network to which all UNESCO Global Geoparks in Europe belong.
It plays a decisive role in the quality assurance of the work of each individual geopark. In addition, the EGN coordinates joint projects such as the European Geoparks Magazine, joint trade fair appearances and the organization of open geopark conferences. At these conferences, representatives of regional initiatives can find out about the establishment and working methods of UNESCO Global Geoparks and make the necessary contacts.
The Forum of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Germany was founded at the suggestion of UNESCO in 2012 as part of the Spring Conference of European Geoparks. Six German Geoparks, former State Secretary Prof. Dr. Joachim-Felix Leonhard and Dr. Marie-Luise Frey, member of the Executive Board of the GGN Association, are currently members of the Forum. The Forum focuses on finding common positions and representing common interests. The spokesperson of the forum is a member of the Geopark National Committee.
The Working Group Geoparks in Germany is a loose association of all National Geoparks. There are two working meetings a year in different geoparks.
As a regionally active organization, the Regionalverband Harz has also been a member of EUROPARC Federation, a registered association under German law, since 2011. K. G.
Initiative „The forest is calling”
Initiative „The forest is calling”
The forest is calling – listen! Some people in the Harz Mountains would like to say: the forest is crying out. Decades of impact on the climate are now becoming painfully visible. In some parts, where beautiful greenery once provided shady paths, bare silver-grey trunks tower into the sky. Looking away is no longer an option. Looking is the order of the day. And take action. Employees of the forestry department, the national park, contracted companies and helpers are working around the clock.
We will show you what is currently happening in the forest, what the causes are and what challenges the players in the Harz are facing. In addition to possible adverse effects caused by forestry work, you can also find out about tourist offers on the subject of the changing forest or about the different working methods between the national park and the commercial forests in the Harz Mountains. Spreading the word helps! Support our initiative and spread knowledge instead of panic with our help.
Further and always up-to-date information can be found at: www.harzinfo.de/derwaldruft