Please note that Fforest Fawr Geopark is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Geopark Networks

Fforest Fawr is a member of two international Geopark networks:

• EGN (European Geoparks Network)
• UNESCO Global Network of National Geoparks

Other Geoparks of UK & Ireland

Several other Geoparks have been designated within the UK and Eire:

• Abberley and Malvern Hills - our nearest neighbour
• Anglesey/Ynys Mon - *expected to join EGN family in 2008
• Copper Coast, Republic of Ireland
• English Riviera Geopark - NEW in September 2007
• Lochaber Geopark - NEW in April 2007
• Marble Arch Caves/ Cuilcagh Mountain Park, Northern Ireland
• North Pennines AONB - First UK Geopark
• North West Highlands - host of September 2007 EGN conference (in Ullapool).
• Shetland - *prospective member of network

National organisations 

A selection of relevant organisations' websites:

• British Geological Survey (BGS)
• Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
• Forestry Commission Wales
• Geology Rocks
• National Stone Centre
• National Trust
• National Museum Wales
• Quarry Products Association
• UKRIGS

Local and regional bodies

A selection of relevant organisations' websites from South Wales:

• Brecknock Wildlife Trust
• Brecon Beacons Park Society
• The Sleeping Giant Foundation
• South Wales Group of the Geologists' Association
• The geology of the Abercrave area

Local authorities

The Geopark extends across parts of five different unitary authorities, each of which provides a variety of local services, usually including countryside management, museums and tourism.

• Carmarthenshire County Council

• Merthyr Tydfil CBC

• Neath Port Talbot CBC

• Powys County Council

• Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC

Educational sites

• Association for Science Education (ASE)
• Cardiff University (School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences)
• Earth Science Education Forum (ESEF)
• Rockwatch
• Swansea University

Full list of European Geoparks

A full list of all 33 members of the EGN as at May 2008:

• Vulkaneifel, Germany
• Petrified Forest of Lesvos, Greece - where the 6th European Geoparks Network conference was held in October 2005.
• Réserve Naturelle Géologique de Haute-Provence, France
• Maestrazgo Cultural Park, Spain
• Psiloritis Natural Park, Crete, Greece
• Rocca di Cerere Cultural Park, Italy
• Eisenwurzen Naturpark, Austria
• Marble Arch Caves/ Cuilcagh Mountain Park, Northern Ireland
• Copper Coast, Republic of Ireland
• Astroblème Rouchechouart, France
• Kulturpark Kamptal, Austria
• Terra Vita Naturpark, Germany - where the 3rd World Geopark Conference will be held in 2008, in Osnabrück (Osnabrueck).
• Naturpark Bergstrasse-Odenwald, Germany
• North Pennines, UK
• Abberley and Malvern Hills, UK
• Parco delle Madonie, Italy
• North West Highlands, Scotland, UK - host of European Geoparks Network Conference, September 2007 in Ullapool.
• Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark, Romania
• Beigua Geopark, Italy
• Geopark Swabian Alps, Germany
• Geopark Harz, Germany
• Mecklenburg Ice Age Park, Germany
• Lochaber Geopark - NEW in April 2007
• Parc Naturel Regional du Luberon, France
• Fforest Fawr, Wales, UK
• Bohemian Paradise, Czech Republic
• Subeticas Geopark - Spain (no website yet - included for completeness)
• Sobrarbe Geopark - Spain
• Cabo de Gata - Spain
• Naturtejo Geopark - Portugal
• Gea-Norvegica Geopark- Norway
• English Riviera Geopark - NEW in September 2007
• Papuk Geopark - Croatia
• Sardenia Geominerario Park - Italy
• Adamello Brenta Nature Park - Italy

World Heritage Sites in UK

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation) designates sites around the world which are deemed to make a significant contribution to mankind's global heritage.  Three have been designated for their nature and wildlife (including geology)within the UK:

• Giant's Causeway (& Causeway Coast)
• Jurassic Coast (Dorset & east Devon)
• St Kilda

And in nearby Blaenavon an industrial landscape originating in man's exploitation of the geological riches of the area during the 19th century has also gained WHS status:

• Blaenavon

Other geological wonders of South & Mid Wales

• Aberdulais Falls are a few miles down the Vale of Neath from our own 'Waterfalls Country'
• Dolaugothi has been the scene of gold mining since Roman times.

Missing link? 

To comment on this page please contact Fforest Fawr Geopark Development Officer, Alan Bowring.  Thankyou.