JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2020

Presentation information

[J] Poster

O (Public ) » Public

[O-05] Understanding of formation process of Japanese archipelago from Japanese Geoparks

convener:Noritaka Matsubara(Graduate School of Regional Resource Management, University of Hyogo), Yayoi ICHIHASHI(Sado Island Geopark Promotion Office), HIROKO IMAI(Com Support Office /Wakayama University Center for Tourism Research), Hokuto Obara(Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Geopark Promotion Council)

[O05-P42] Examples of activities in collaboration with Tateyama Kurobe Geopark and University of Toyama

*Takuya Harada1, Yuta Yamaoka2, Kiichi Yamahori2, Kiyoshi Nakagawa2, Koji Ohnishi1, Ken-ichi Yasue1 (1.University of Toyama, 2.Tateyama Kurobe Geopark Society)

Keywords:Tateyama Kurobe Geopark, University of Toyama, collaboration, regional development

Introduction
Tateyama Kurobe Geopark is a Japanese National Geopark composed of 9 municipalities in eastern Toyama Prefecture and a part of Toyama Bay. This geopark is operated by a general incorporated association and is developing activities in collaboration with many companies and organizations. University of Toyama has been involved since the establishment of the geopark, and has collaborated in many situations, such as developing projects and requesting lecturers. In this report, we introduce examples of collaboration so far and discuss future prospects.

Examples
Collaboration cases can be roughly divided into the following 3: (1) dispatch of instructors to Tateyama Kurobe Geopark, (2) participation in university education, and (3) joint development of products and plans. In the first case, the teachers of the university participate in the educational activities conducted in the geopark, leading to science education, community learning and disaster prevention education. Also, he explained the knowledge and skills necessary for guide activities as a guide training lecturer. In the second case, geopark are involved in lecture and training at university, and cooperate with local education. In the third case, we are developing geotours and creating guidebooks with university teachers and students. In addition, we conduct collaborative research targeting the area of the geopark, and incorporate exercises on the subject of the geopark in lectures at University of Toyama.

Future outlook
Collaboration of geopark and university seems to have merits for both. As a geopark, (1) you can receive academic support, and (2) you can get opinions and approaches from various viewpoints about the project. Also, (3) the number of students who are interested in geoparks and want to work in the field may increase. On the university side, (a) it will be easier to engage in research targeting the geopark area, (b) it will be possible to return expertise and research results to the community, and (c) students will improve their skills and careers. By the way, in Japanese National Geoparks of today, the population of specialists is on the decline on the whole, and one of the issues at Tateyama Kurobe Geopark was that it was not possible to hire multiple specialists. Therefore, close collaboration with university can be expected to provide some follow-up, such as academic support to supplement the shortage of specialists and support for planning and operation. At present, Tateyama Kurobe Geopark and University of Toyama are conducting discussions with the aim of concluding an agreement to achieve stronger collaboration.