Geodiversity Action Plans as a Tool for Developing Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Education
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
- Connecting with local stakeholders (especially via Local Action Group and Association of Municipalities): Connecting with local stakeholders was done through the consultation with Local Action Group (LAG) Východní Slovácko on the Czech side of border and Association of Municipalities—Microregion Javorina on the Slovak side. The LAG includes numerous organizations and institutions of the region, e.g., schools, local enterprises, active citizens, professional associations, municipalities, societies, sport clubs, whereas Association only include municipalities but also has links to the local stakeholders (e.g., enterprises, schools or NGOs). LAG and Association served as connecting points between local residents (or target groups) and Earth science professionals that elaborated a report about the geodiversity of the area. LAG and Association interviewed the stakeholders and discussed their needs and the possibility of spreading the ideas of GAP and introducing the topics of geoheritage, geodiversity and geotourism within the wider public. A key feature in the establishment of a LGAP is the identification of a shared aim and objectives to meet that aim [16].
- Preparation of a report that describes geodiversity of the study area. The results of detailed fieldwork and a literature review were put into one report which described in detail geological, geomorphological, hydrological, and soil features of the area. Also, the selected sites were chosen as a potential geosites or geodiversity sites suitable especially for sustainable tourism (geotourism) or environmental education. These sites were assessed qualitatively from the Earth-scientific and geotourist point of view by using the set of descriptive criteria. Based on this, some of them were proposed to be included in the most important sites which are suitable for further development. Some basic activities related to geodiversity use were designed. This report served as a basis for a proper GAP proposal.
- The report was sent to stakeholders. At the meeting, the comments of stakeholders were discussed, and the particular goals of GAP and SWOT analysis were elaborated.
- The final step was represented by designing and discussing particular activities supporting the understanding and conserving the geodiversity and its rational and sustainable use (geotourism development, geodiversity and geoheritage promotion, environmental education and programs for local schools, guided tours, presentation of the GAP, local geodiversity and geoheritage at various meetings, on web pages of the organizations, on local press, preparation of information panels and leaflets, possibilities of involvement of target groups as volunteers, etc.).
- The final GAP proposal was submitted to the authorities or representatives of the LAG Východní Slovácko and Association of Municipalities—Microregion Javorina.
2.1. Study Area
Geodiversity of the Area
3. Results
- Introduction: reasons for elaborating GAP proposal, goals, involved entities
- A brief introduction about geodiversity and geosites/geodiversity sites
- SWOT analysis
- Proposals for the rational use of geodiversity (see later for a more detailed information)
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- Conservation
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- Promotion
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- Education
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- Tourism
- Conclusions and future prospective, cooperating subjects etc.
- Attachment 1: A detailed report about geodiversity of the area (result of literature/map reviews and field work, identification, description and qualitative assessment of the sites)
- Attachment 2: Practical outcomes that can be used and spread (posters, leaflets, educational programs).
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Lead organisation(s): | Mendel University in Brno |
Institute of Geonics of the Czech Academy of Sciences | |
Local Action Group Východní Slovácko | |
Main Partners: | Association of municipalities—Microregion Javorina |
Municipalities of Lopeník and Nová Bošáca | |
Primary schools in Nivnice, Strání and Moravské Lieskové | |
Bučník quarry operator | |
Representatives of PLAs | |
Funded by: | Interreg CZ—SK operational programme |
Process: | Described in the chapter Methods; Mendel University and Institute of Geonics as drivers, detailed fieldwork, LAG and Association—local stakeholders, networking, putting local people together |
LGAP aims: | Promoting geodiversity |
Recognizing its potential for sustainable forms of tourism and environmental education | |
LGAP objectives: | Mapping and identifying geodiversity elements as well as particular geosites or geodiversity sites |
Linking geodiversity and culture | |
Involvement of local stakeholders | |
Incorporating geodiversity issues into already existing products and events | |
Proposals for promotion, education and use of geodiversity | |
Strengths: | Close cooperation between local stakeholders and Earth-science professionals |
Stakeholders interested in topic | |
Practical use of programmes at schools | |
Effective promotion | |
Issues: | GAP proposal not approved by authorities |
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Kubalíková, L.; Bajer, A.; Balková, M.; Kirchner, K.; Machar, I. Geodiversity Action Plans as a Tool for Developing Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Education. Sustainability 2022, 14, 6043. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106043
Kubalíková L, Bajer A, Balková M, Kirchner K, Machar I. Geodiversity Action Plans as a Tool for Developing Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Education. Sustainability. 2022; 14(10):6043. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106043
Chicago/Turabian StyleKubalíková, Lucie, Aleš Bajer, Marie Balková, Karel Kirchner, and Ivo Machar. 2022. "Geodiversity Action Plans as a Tool for Developing Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Education" Sustainability 14, no. 10: 6043. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106043