ProGEO

New geosite alert from Brazil! 🇧🇷✨

We are thrilled to share an incredible geological gem from the Inventory of the Geological Heritage of the State of São Paulo: the Boudins of the Camburizinho Islet geosite! Located on the stunning northern coast, this single coastal outcrop packs a massive punch of Earth history, telling a story spanning hundreds of millions of years.

What makes this place a geological masterpiece?
1️⃣ Deep Crustal Secrets: Look closely at the migmatites, boudins, schollen, and leucosomes. They are direct structural records of extreme deformation and anatexis (partial melting) that occurred deep within the crust during the evolution of the Ribeira Belt and the assembly of the Gondwana Supercontinent!
2️⃣ The Breakup of Gondwana: The prominent NE-SW-trending fractures and basaltic d***s document a completely different chapter—later extensional tectonics and magmatism as Gondwana split apart, paving the way for the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean.
3️⃣ Modern Coastal Dynamics: Connecting the islet to the mainland is a beautiful tombolo, showcasing active geomorphological processes right before our eyes.

With its breathtaking scenic views and high concentration of scientific, educational, and interpretive value, Camburizinho Islet is a textbook example of geoheritage meeting geotourism!

📸 Beautifully captured by: Renato Henriques, Carlos Mazoca, and Maria da Glória Garcia.

Geology

Geology knows no borders! 🏔️✨

On May 10th, 2026, the cross-border Geolodia Transfronterizo Spain-France brought participants together in Astún, Aragón, to discover "geology from the summits: lakes, volcanoes, and the memory of the sea." Hikers explored a stunning geological route spanning Col des Moines, Malacara, and Collado de Astún, walking alongside snow-covered peaks to uncover our shared Earth heritage. This successful event highlights the incredible power of international cooperation in promoting and protecting across borders. 🌍🤝

🎤 News from Santander! 🇪🇸

Irene Bollati presenting at the XVI Reunión Nacional de la Comisión de Patrimonio Geológico (SGE).

She’s breaking down the Italian experience on how Geosciences and UNESCO Geoparks drive the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 🌲💎

Proud to have voices inspiring protection across borders!

🌍 Huge milestone for South Korea !

The IUCN has officially welcomed the foundational work to advance the Key Geoheritage Areas (KGA) initiative! 📜✨

This breakthrough stems directly from the mandate of Resolution 8.124 (adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaiʻi) and follows the crucial discussions and momentum built during the WCC in Marseille and recent international geoheritage symposia.

Thanks to the publication of the new IUCN WCPA Issues Paper—backed by major support from the Korea Heritage Service—we now have a clear, standardized framework to identify and protect geological sites of global significance.

ProGEO is incredibly proud to be part of this journey. This is a massive step forward in ensuring Earth's geological heritage receives the same level of recognition and protection as biodiversity.

👉 Read the full announcement here: https://iucn.org/news/202606/iucn-welcomes-foundational-work-advance-key-geoheritage-areas-initiative-backed-major



https://iucn.org/news/202606/iucn-welcomes-foundational-work-advance-key-geoheritage-areas-initiative-backed-major

IUCN welcomes foundational work to advance the Key Geoheritage Areas Initiative, backed by major commitment from Korea Busan, Republic of Korea, May 2026 - IUCN celebrates a major step forward in safeguarding geoheritage sites of global significance and moving towards a holistic nature conservation. Experts from the WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group (GSG) met in Busan, Republic of Korea, to establish strategic direc...

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the SYMPOSIUM “GEOCONSERVATION, GEOHERITAGE AND POPULAR SCIENCE”, which will be held within the framework of the XXIII Argentine 🇦🇷 Save the date!
We are happy to share an exciting invitation from our colleagues in South America. The “ , and Popular Science” will take place during the XXIII Argentine Geological Congress in San Juan (April 19–23, #2027). It’s a fantastic opportunity to share experiences and discuss challenges in geodiversity conservation, geopark management, and science communication. Find more details below:

_______________________________

Geological Congress, in the city of San Juan, Argentina, from April 19 to 23, 2027.

This symposium aims to create a meeting space for colleagues, students, and social stakeholders involved in Nature Conservation, Natural Heritage, and the communication of the Natural Sciences to non-specialist audiences and local communities.

We will gather to share experiences, discuss proposals, and analyze challenges related to the conservation of Geodiversity, Biodiversity, and Natural Heritage (including associated Cultural Heritage); the designation, management, and governance of geosites, geoparks, protected natural areas, and public or private spaces that safeguard nature or heritage values; territorial planning and risk mitigation through nature-based solutions; and in situ and ex situ science communication in a variety of formats, among other topics.

The program will include keynote lectures, oral presentations, poster sessions, and a roundtable discussion aimed at fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and building collaborative networks.
We look forward to receiving your contributions in Spanish, Portuguese, or English at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JrZBoGG7qtJJOHPy3Ym2MA1VoP86l3EWGIQyCD3EFRo/edit
https://congresogeologico.org.ar/

¡See you in San Juan!

Dr. María Laura León
Lic. Sofía Lis Llopiz
Lic. & M.Sc. Marina Lema

Congreso Geológico Argentino: Participa en 2027 - XXIII Congreso Geológico Argentino Take part in the 23rd Argentine Geological Congress. A major event for scientific advancement in geology in April 2027.

🌋 Stunning insights from the K-Geoheritage Symposium in South Korea! Our Executive Secretary, Manu Monge Ganuzas, recently joined an incredible field trip to the breathtaking Bukhansan Geopark following the event. These spectacular granite peaks and deeply weathered landscapes showcase some of the finest examples of East Asian geoheritage. Seeing such unique geological formations firsthand underscores the vital importance of international collaboration in geoconservation and geo-education. A huge thank you to our South Korean hosts for organizing this memorable and inspiring excursion! ⛰️🇰🇷

📢 Attention ProGEO members and colleagues! >
A quick reminder that the abstract submission deadline for the 18th International European Geoparks Conference in Saimaa, Finland, is tomorrow, May 31st!

European Geoparks Network
18th European Geoparks Conference 2026
Saimaa Geopark Finland - September 16-18, 2026

KINDLY REMIND TO ALL EUROPEAN GEOPARKS DELEGATES‼️‼️

The deadline for abstract submission in the EGN conference in Saimaa is the 31st of May?

Thank you for your cooperation!!!
Please share it and don’t forget to visit the link!
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://saimaageopark.fi/en/egn2026

🎬 Watch the highlights from Busan! Check out the video coverage from the international conference on the Key Geoheritage Areas (KGA) conservation program strategy.

It was an incredible event where science met global conservation policy. With strong participation from ProGEO experts, the historic KGA Korea Declaration was officially signed—setting a new global standard for protecting earth sciences ahead of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. 🌍✨

Watch the full recap below! 👇

https://www.youtube.com/live/a9bnLJFQ1IE?si=X07Cez3t3VXfSFDJ

[live] K-지질유산의 현황과 전망 (2026.5.27(수) 부산 벡스코 오전 10시부터) 국가유산청은 5월 27일 부산 벡스코에서 진행되는 ‘K-지질유산의 현황과 전망’ 국제학술대회를 국가유산청 유튜브에서 실시간 중계합니다!이번 학술대회는 제48차 유네스코 세계유산위원회 개최를 50여 일 앞두고 열린 국제행...

Global geoconservation is hitting the international headlines! Check out this news coverage highlighting the K-Geoheritage Symposium in , where ProGEO experts are actively shaping the future of Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs). 📺 Watch the full report here prepared by Arirang News:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn2lkC_vLsc

Key Presentations and Insights from the International Conference on KGA Conservation Program Strategy 📚📢

Following the successful launch of the KGA initiative in 📌 , we want to highlight the incredible scientific contributions made during the symposium sessions. The conference featured detailed discussions mapping out how Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs) complement existing structures like Global Geoparks and IUCN protection frameworks.

Several ProGEO members 👩🏻‍🔬👨🏻‍🔬and international colleagues led critical thematic presentations and addressed vital questions for the future of :

Global & Institutional Frameworks: ★Kyung S*k Woo (ProGEO Member, South Korea) opened the discourse on global geoheritage conservation and the strategic positioning of KGAs alongside Korea’s historical natural monuments.

★José Brilha (UNESCO Chair Holder of Geodiversity & Geoconservation, ProGEO Member) outlined the main guidelines, procedures, and crucial next steps for the IUCN KGA initiative.

Insights into global standards were further expanded by ★Robbert Casier (IUCN) and ★ Manu Monge-Ganuzas (ProGEO Executive Secretary).

Thematic presentations:

★Kevin Page (Editor-in-Chief of Geoheritage, ProGEO Member) addressed the major international challenges currently facing geoheritage conservation.

★Piotr Migoń (Wrocław University, ProGEO Member) shared vital research on Erosional Systems, discussing potential Korean sites with exceptional geomorphological value.

★Maria da Gloria-Garcia (ProGEO Member) presented on Tectonic Systems, analyzing potential sites within the KGA framework.

★Melinda McHenry (University of Tasmania, ProGEO Member) brought crucial attention to Soils as Geoheritage, discussing their role in identifying potential KGA resources and addressing conservation challenges in UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The symposium also welcomed input from ★Sophie Justice (Council of Global Geoparks) and Illias Valaikos (European Geoparks Network - EGN), further bridging the gap between national programs and established global networks.

We are incredibly proud of our members' expertise and dedication to ensuring that scientific rigour, ranging from structural geology to geomorphology and pedology, underpins these new international conservation strategies. Stay tuned for further updates on how these frameworks develop!