Abstract
This paper reviews recent developments focused on the promotion of geoheritage in the region of Kaczawskie Mountains and Kaczawskie Foothills in the Sudetes, SW Poland. Since ancient volcanic features are of primary interest, the brand name “Land of Extinct Volcanoes” is consistently used in territorial marketing, although geoheritage values cover much wider spectrum of geology and geomorphology. The scientific understanding of Earth history was long realized by restricted academic circles only, but since the 1990s, increasing attempts to develop regional tourist product based on geoheritage have been observed. They intensified in the twenty-first century, with the bottom-up approach evidently taking over, although close, formalized collaboration with scientists is a distinctive feature. The long-term goal of the Local Action Group is to join the UNESCO Global Geopark network and step by step the relevant criteria are being fulfilled. The case of Land of Extinct Volcanoes illustrates the crucial role of local communities and local leaders in the long-term strategy of geoheritage promotion and geotourism development.
Highlights
Effective care about geoheritage requires, simultaneously, (i) good scientific understanding of geological past and geomorphological diversity of an area, so that the significance of geoheritage may be properly evaluated; (ii) solid legal framework of geoheritage conservation; and (iii) adequate awareness at the local level of both geoheritage itself, as well as of its potential as a catalyst of local and regional development, followed by involvement of local communities in geoheritage matters
The aim of this paper is to review achievements and experience in geoheritage promotion accomplished at the local level, in a region in south-west Poland, branded as the Land of Extinct Volcanoes
The Land of Extinct Volcanoes is an informal name used in territorial marketing, pertinent to the part of the Sudetes mountain range in south-west Poland and the adjacent part of the lowland (Chojnów Plain)
Summary
Effective care about geoheritage requires, simultaneously, (i) good scientific understanding of geological past and geomorphological diversity of an area, so that the significance of geoheritage may be properly evaluated; (ii) solid legal framework of geoheritage conservation; and (iii) adequate awareness at the local level of both geoheritage itself, as well as of its potential as a catalyst of local and regional development, followed by involvement of local communities in geoheritage matters. These three pillars converge within the idea of geoparks, but the label of a UNESCO Global Geopark is not mandatory to develop these various, geoheritage-oriented activities. Whereas geomorphology of the area is not very conspicuous, not without various features of interest, it is the geological heritage sensu stricto that makes the region outstanding in Poland and possibly beyond
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