Geopark Karavanke/Karawanken. Geo adventures in the cross- border geopark between Slovenia and Austria

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1 Geopark Karavanke/Karawanken Geo adventures in the cross- border geopark between Slovenia and Austria Msc. Suzana Fajmut Štrucl, Podzemlje Pece d.o.o. Msc. Mojca Bedjanič, Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation Msc. Gerald Hartmann, LAG Regionalkooperation Unterkӓrnten Christian Varch, Obir caves Mežica,

2 GEOPARK KARAVANKE AREA Whole cross-border (Slovenia-Austria) area in the eastern part of Karavanke Mts. between the Peaks of Peca and Košuta: extends 1000 km 2 has population of about inhabitants includes 13 municipalities

3 WHY TO BECOME A GEOPARK? Proposed Geopark Karavanke/Karawanken has: great geological heritage with numerous geological sites of particular importance in terms of their scientific value, geological, cultural, natural rarities, aesthetic attraction and educational value, a territory with developing Geotourism. tradition of crossborder cooperation on the fields of nature protection, regional development

4 GEOLOGICAL SITES

5 The Mežica ore deposit, known as the biggest leadzinc ore deposit with a long mining tradition, was once the richest deposit of wulfenite that is still sought after by collectors of minerals throughout the world

6 Dravite was first found in village Dobrova pri Dravogradu (1883-Tschermak), which is situated in the area of the Geopark Karavanke/Karawanken

7 Smrekovec is the only volcanic mountain chain in Slovenia that was created by the activity of underwater volcanoes

8 Proof of volcanic activity in Oligocene can be found in the rock walls of the Obir glen

9 Obir caves are the most beautiful stalactite caves in Austria, and were discovered while mining for leadzinc ore

10 The picturesque Wildensteiner waterfall has carved itself into rock that is rich in fossils, including the interesting petrified shells of ammonites

11 HOW TO BECOME A GEOPARK? a long process,...as long as the geological processes?

12 Creating the management plan

13 GEOPARK AIMS: 1) Conservation of natural resources (geology, natural environment, forestry, energy, cultural heritage,...) 2) Raising awareness / education / positioning of the Geopark - cultural validation", (Population, schools, legends, new stories,...) jobs 3) Economic redevelopment of the Geopark: through (gentle) tourism 3) (hiking, biking, gastronomy, adventure, sport / fitness) and sustainable 4) energy use 4) Cross-border cooperation and regional development / regional policy (municipal cooperation and projects, bundling and representing common interests,...)

14 GEOPARK STRUCTURE: The Karavanke Geopark created in 2010 is managed by a cross-border partnership network including two key geo-centres, local communities and support institutions in the areas of natural, geological and cultural heritage protection as well as in regional development.

15 GEOPARK ACTIVITIES: new infrastructure investments (two info centers, 11 new presentation points, geological trails...), communication and marketing activities, activities to become EGN/UNESCO Geopark member, geo education from the youngest to the most experienced visitors as well as local people, interpretation and promotion of nature and geosites.

16 CENTRAL INFORMATION POINT Podzemlje Pece, tourist mine and museum

17 CENTRAL INFORMATION POINT Obir caves in Bad Eisenkappel/ Železna Kapla

18 GEOPARK ACTIVITIES: new infrastructure investments (two info centers, 11 new presentation points, geological trails...), communication and marketing activities, activities to become EGN/UNESCO Geopark member, interpretation and promotion of nature and geosites, new Geo-tourism cross-border packages geo education from the youngest to the most experienced visitors as well as local people.

19 GEOPARK KARAVANKE - IT S FUN, IT S EDUCATIONAL AND NO CHORE

20 Cooperation with local schools and kindergartens as well as with national faculties Creating teaching materials for kindergarten and school teachers Educational workshops for teachers Geo-project days Teaching material - Geo-workshops

21 GEO-ADVENTURES workshops for pre-school children

22 GEOPARK WEEK

23 A press conferences. Workshops for the youngest. Geo adventure workshops for children The presentations of geo publications. Art competitions. A night moth hunt. Workshops for kindergarten and school teachers.

24 Different workshops Openings of new geoinfrastructure Cultural events and art competitions 2012 Lectures about geological features of the Geopark Teachers at geological field work Exploring the fauna and flora Learning about geological heritage

25 WELCOME IN GEOPARK KARAWANKEN- KARAVANKE