Events & Courses

Geological tourism is no longer seen as a niche market with visitor attractions such as the Giant's Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher topping the most-visited polls on the island of Ireland. The benefits to the economy as well as the increased awareness and understanding of geoscience that sites such as these bring is certainly very welcome, but we need to be  careful that this is not at the expense of geological integrity. This year's Geoconservation Gathering will look at how geoconservation and sustainable tourism can and should work together with examples from across the island of Ireland.

This event is led by the Geological Society’s Geoconservation Committee, whose aims are to help conserve the diverse geology and rich geological and geomorphological heritage of the UK.

As part of the Society’s work, we support initiatives that promote geodiversity and work with others to promote the sustainable use of geological sites as resources for education, training, public enjoyment and future scientific research.

An objective of the Committee is to facilitate public engagement with geoconservation and to support communication between relevant policymakers, funding or support bodies and grassroots geoconservation projects that go on around the country, often sustained by a small but important group of volunteers and enthusiasts.

This meeting aims to bring together key stakeholders and those working in geoconservation to discuss the value of local sites, review what is going across the UK and encourage more activity and wider involvement from relevant policymakers, local government and the wider geological community.

Speakers at the event include:

• Richard Watson - Manager of the Marble Arch Caves Unesco Global Geopark
• Kirstin Lemon - Team Leader Environment and Hazards (GSNI) and Social Media Manager (BGS)
• Martin Carey - Chief Executive Officer, Mourne Heritage Trust
• Andrew Bratton –  WHS Project Officer – Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust
• Sarah Gatley – Head of the Irish Geological Heritage Programme

Time

1 – 5:30pm

Venue

Ulster Museum, Belfast

Registration

To register for this event, please contact Flo Bullough.