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, across Europe:

• EGN (European Geoparks Network)

and across the globe:

• UNESCO Global Network of National Geoparks and
• Global Geoparks Network

National organisations 

A selection of relevant organisations' websites:

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

Local and regional bodies

A selection of relevant organisations' websites from South Wales:

• Brecknock Wildlife Trust - nature reserves in Powys part of Geopark
• Brecon Beacons Park Society - walks, talks and more across the area
• The Sleeping Giant Foundation - upper Swansea Valley based group
• South Wales Group of the Geologists' Association - field meets, guides and talks
• Cymdeithas Edward Llwyd - Wales-wide Welsh language natural history society

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
• Onegeology - new international project making geological map data for the Earth accessible

Full list of European Geoparks

A full list of all 32 members of the EGN as at October 2008.  Those within the UK and Ireland are shown in bold:

• Adamello-Brenta Geopark, Italy
• Beigua Geopark, Italy
• Geo-Naturpark Bergstrasse - Odenwald, Germany
• Bohemian Paradise, Czech Republic
• Cabo de Gata-Nijar Geopark, Andalucia, Spain
• Copper Coast Geopark, Republic of Ireland
• Styrian Eisenwurzen Geopark, Austria
• English Riviera Geopark, England, UK
• Fforest Fawr Geopark, Wales, UK
• Gea Norvegica Geopark, Norway
• Geological Mining Park of Sardinia, Italy
• Harz - Braunschweiger Land - Ostfalen Geopark, Germany
• Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark, Romania
• Reserve Naturelle Geologique de Haute Provence, France
• Lochaber Geopark, Scotland, UK
• Parc Naturel Regional de Luberon, France
• Madonie Geopark, Italy
• Parque Cultural del Maestrazgo, Spain
• Marble Arch Caves Geopark, Republic of Ireland / N. Ireland, UK
• Mecklenburg Ice Age Landscape Geopark, Germany
• Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal
• North Pennines AONB Geopark, England, UK
• North West Highlands Geopark, Scotland, UK
• Papuk Geopark, Croatia
• Petrified Forest of Lesvos, Greece
• Psiloritis Geopark, Greece
• Rocca di Cerere Geopark, Italy
• Sierras Subbeticas, Andalucia, Spain
• Sobrarbe Geopark, Aragon, Spain
• Swabian Alb Geopark, Germany
• Terra.Vita Geopark, Germany
• Vulkaneifel Geopark, Germany

Prospective Geoparks in the UK:

• Geo-mon - Isle of Anglesey prospective Geopark
• Shetland - prospective Geopark
   

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.
• Geology of Abercraf area in the upper Swansea Valley

Missing link? 

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