Raising public awareness of geological heritage: a set of initiatives

Abstract

Most people are unfamiliar with geological knowledge, a fact that hinders the implementation of geoconservation measures. Additionally, like in many other countries, the strategies of Portuguese Natural Parks are mainly concerned with bioconservation. The information available at these parks for visitors and students is mostly limited to biological issues, further increasing the geological illiteracy of the general public. Hence, putting people in contact with geological subjects is becoming very important for both geologists and policy makers. A project is being developed in Portugal in order to characterise, catalogue and make public the geological heritage of two Natural Parks from the NE region. This project is providing several products with the purpose of increasing public awareness towards geological subjects. Among these outputs we emphasise interpretative panels, geological guides and booklets on specific geosites or trails, and web pages. Two more initiatives are being developed in the scope of this project: the training of staff from the two Natural Parks who, in the future, will be guiding field trips; and the organisation of summer field trips in the region, addressed to the general public.