The Four Fundamentals of Geoparks

These are the fundamental requirements as published on the UNESCO website. Any italicized content predicated with “Our Assessment:” is not published by UNESCO.

1.  Geological heritage of international value

In order to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, the area must have geological heritage of international value. This is assessed by scientific professionals, as part of the “UNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation Team”.  Based on the international peer-reviewed, published research conducted on the geological sites within the area, the scientific professionals make a globally comparative assessment to determine whether the geological sites constitute international value.

Our Assessment:

There is no question that within the 48,000 square kilometers identified as the Georgian Bay there are many regions that have geological heritage and international value. However, outside of being joined by a body of water these areas are heterogeneous and do not constitute a single unified area, which is a key requirement for a Geopark.

2.  Management

UNESCO Global Geoparks are managed by a body having legal existence recognized under national legislation. This management body should be appropriately equipped to address the entire area and should include all relevant local and regional actors and authorities. UNESCO Global Geoparks require a management plan, agreed upon by all the partners, that provides for the social and economic needs of the local populations, protects the landscape in which they live and conserves their cultural identity. This plan must be comprehensive, incorporating the governance, development, communication, protection, infrastructure, finances, and partnerships of the UNESCO Global Geopark.

Our Assessment:

It is questionable that this initiative plans to address the entire area given that the management body is on record stating that Simcoe County will have “the first mover advantage.” (to see this, visit the Midland Council meeting excerpt video on our home page.) To secure Geopark status, the Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark requires letters of support from multiple stakeholders, including municipalities, First Nations, residents and cottage associations. The Geopark Leadership Team is on record that they do not have a plan.

3.  Visibility

UNESCO Global Geoparks promote sustainable local economic development mainly through geotourism. In order to stimulate the geotourism in the area, it is crucial that a UNESCO Global Geopark has visibility. Visitors as well as local people need to be able to find relevant information on the UNESCO Global Geopark. As such, providing information via a dedicated website, leaflets, and detailed map of the area that connects the area’s geological and other sites. A UNESCO Global Geopark should also have a corporate identity.

Our Assessment:

The Aspiring Geopark has a dedicated website, and is legally incorporated as a not-for-profit. The website does not publish any of the leadership team’s names. It has a logo which serves as its corporate identity. The logo mimics the medicine wheel, which could be alleged to misappropriate Indigenous culture, such as their leadership has done in speeches: “Grand Dad, will you tell us again about the Giant’s Tomb?” It is publishing leaflets for all eight “Deep Time” regions of Georgian Bay. The leaflets provide education and promote tourism.

4.  Networking

A UNESCO Global Geopark is not only about cooperation with the local people living in the UNESCO Global Geopark area, but also about collaborating with other UNESCO Global Geoparks through the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), and regional networks for UNESCO Global Geoparks, in order to learn from each other and, as a network, improve the quality of the label UNESCO Global Geopark. Working together with international partners is the main reason for UNESCO Global Geoparks to be a member of an international network such as the GGN. Membership of the GGN is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks. By working together across borders, UNESCO Global Geoparks contribute to increasing understanding among different communities and as such help peace-building processes.

Our Assessment:

Outside of the Georgian Bay Area, the Aspiring Geopark is good at networking. They have networked with the Fire and Ice Aspiring Geopark in British Columbia. Members of their leadership team also serve on The Trebek Initiative, which, while concerningly not at arm’s length, has funded the Aspiring Geopark’s Two Eyed Seeing project which contributes to the scientific and geological requirements of the designation. Members of the leadership team also sit on the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, also not an arm’s length organization. As of October 20, 2023, the Georgian Bay Biosphere reserve has not endorsed the Aspiring Geopark.