3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
[MZZ43-P05] Practices in Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark on conservation and utilization of geological heritage
Keywords:Geopark, Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark, Conservation, National Workshop
The 17th Japan Geopark National Workshop was held on November 21-23, 2022, at the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark. The theme is “Developing Communities by Conserving Them: Considering the Conservation and Utilization of Geological Heritage in Geoparks”. The number of participants was 65, including specialists and secretariat staff from Geopark across the Japan.
Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark has been working to protect and preserve the geological heritage of the Aratozawa landslide and other traces of slope disasters, that occurred in the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake of 2008. In addition, Izunuma-Uchinuma, one of the ecological sites, is registered as a Ramsar wetland and has accumulated various conservation practices. In this workshop, the above-mentioned theme was set in order to share this experience, to think broadly about how natural heritage should be conserved, and to explore the direction of future conservation activities in Japan Geoparks. The workshop was divided into a beginners’ course and an experienced course. At each level, the participants were guided through the local conditions and past activities at the Aratozawa landslide and the Izunuma-Uchinuma site. At the Visitor Center, a keynote speech was given on the basic concept of conservation of natural and cultural heritage in the Geopark, so that participants could share a common understanding of the importance of conservation activities and methods.
After the site visit and a keynote speech, the participants have an opportunity to discuss the necessity, inevitability, and urgency of preserving natural heritage, based on examples from the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark and other regions. There, it was confirmed that the first step in conservation activities is to scientifically understand the value of the heritage sites to be conserved and the threats to their value loss. It was also confirmed that it is important to build cooperative relationships with stakeholders in order to develop specific methods for conservation activities.
Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark is currently preparing to formulate conservation guidelines based on the results and findings of this workshop.
Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark has been working to protect and preserve the geological heritage of the Aratozawa landslide and other traces of slope disasters, that occurred in the Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake of 2008. In addition, Izunuma-Uchinuma, one of the ecological sites, is registered as a Ramsar wetland and has accumulated various conservation practices. In this workshop, the above-mentioned theme was set in order to share this experience, to think broadly about how natural heritage should be conserved, and to explore the direction of future conservation activities in Japan Geoparks. The workshop was divided into a beginners’ course and an experienced course. At each level, the participants were guided through the local conditions and past activities at the Aratozawa landslide and the Izunuma-Uchinuma site. At the Visitor Center, a keynote speech was given on the basic concept of conservation of natural and cultural heritage in the Geopark, so that participants could share a common understanding of the importance of conservation activities and methods.
After the site visit and a keynote speech, the participants have an opportunity to discuss the necessity, inevitability, and urgency of preserving natural heritage, based on examples from the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark and other regions. There, it was confirmed that the first step in conservation activities is to scientifically understand the value of the heritage sites to be conserved and the threats to their value loss. It was also confirmed that it is important to build cooperative relationships with stakeholders in order to develop specific methods for conservation activities.
Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark is currently preparing to formulate conservation guidelines based on the results and findings of this workshop.