BACKGROUND:
The Group of Experts in Geological Heritage -GEPG- was created in 2017 to comply with the Agreements of the XXIII ASGMI General Assembly held in Havana, Cuba, in November of that year with the priority mission of developing a working methodology for the Inventory of Places of Geological Interest applicable by the geological services members of the Association. It began its work immediately under the coordination of Dr. Marcela Gómez, Geological Survey of Colombia, with the support of Dr. Luis Carcavilla, Geological and Mining Institute of Spain, and Dr. Fernando Miranda, Geological Mining Service of Argentina.
MISSION AND VISION OF THE GROUP OF EXPERTS IN GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE:
In its beginnings the group had as its fundamental mission the elaboration of a common working methodology for the Inventory of Places of Geological Interest. This mission, after the celebration of the I Workshop on Geological Heritage, organized by the Colombian Geological Survey and held in 2018 in the city of Villa de Leyva, Colombia, has been extended to the realization of studies for the characterization of geological heritage and geological context with heritage interest.
The vision of the group is to become an international reference in terms of inventory, characterization, protection and enhancement of geological and paleontological heritage, as a basis for economic and social development, especially in Latin American countries.
MEDIUM AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES:
Consolidate lines of action for the implementation of common methodologies and working procedures for the evaluation of geological and paleontological heritage, highlighting the following:
- Project for the study and characterization of Sites and Contexts of Geological Interest in Ibero-America.
- Creation of the Geological Heritage Map of South America under the auspices of the Commission for Geological Map of the World.
- The role of geological services in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network initiative.
WORKSHOPS HELD:
Virtual Workshop on The Role of Geological Services in the Valorization of Geological Heritage held on November 16 and 17, 2021.
International Workshop First ASGMI Heritage Workshop: Ibero-America united for the integrated management of geological heritage. Held from June 5 to 7, in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, and organized by the Colombian Geological Survey.
