Final decision in autumn.
The award as National GeoPark is a predicate that the Vogelsberg volcanic region is striving to achieve. On invitation of the Geopark, the Certification Commission National GeoPark convinced itself of the quality of the geotouristic offers, the management of the Geopark, the geological and natural environment and its unique selling point as the largest volcanic area in Central Europe. During a two-day tour, the office, numerous rock geotopes and quarries, geo-stations and geo-information centers such as the MUNA-Museum Bermuthshain and the Vulkaneum Schotten as well as the path infrastructure at the Mountain Meadow Trail in Herchenhain were examined. Hartmut Greb, managing director of the Geopark, was able to present the advantages of the Vogelsberg in ideal weather conditions with the support of Christina Plass as the geoscientific assistant and Susanne Jost for the Lower Nature Conservation Agency.
The Geopark Board of Directors with District Administrator Manfred Goerig as chairman and Schotten Mayor Susanne Schaab as his deputy welcomed the members at the Hoherodskopf Information Centre and gave an overview of the goals and prospects of a possible National Geopark in the Vogelsberg Volcano Region. "Our goal is to place the Vogelsberg in the league of the already existing National Geoparks and to establish it there permanently and sustainably. Our natural environment and our geological foundation, namely living on the largest coherent basalt and volcanic area in Central Europe, is a major asset that we are putting to good use," emphasized District Administrator Manfred Goerig.
A lot of commitment from volunteers combined with ideas and investments from the local authorities on the subject of volcanism and the development of the natural inventory for visitors and locals is the basis for a successful application. This statement was confirmed by the mayors Claudia Blum (Homberg) and Susanne Schaab as well as her Ulrichsteiner colleagues Edwin Schneider for the board of directors of the Geopark.
Dr. Christof Ellger as head of the commission and representative of the GeoUnion - Alfred Wegener Foundation was pleased about the application of the Vogelsberg to achieve this seal of quality, since this is connected with a much greater public perception, but also an obligation to further develop the Geopark in the following years. He was accompanied by Dr. Petra Eisenach, German Mining Museum Bochum, Anne Koett, Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology, Dr. Johannes Mueller, Geological Service Lower Saxony, and Dr. Martin Hensch, Ministry of the Environment Baden-Wuerttemberg.
The commission will make a final decision in autumn at its next meeting in Darmstadt, at which the Volcanic Region Vogelsberg Geopark will once again be able to present its geological potential with offers and its natural environment.
Background:
The National GeoPark certification has been awarded since 2002, and it is presented to geoparks that not only have presentable natural and geological conditions, but are also committed to the sustainable development of their region with responsible use of natural resources. There are currently 16 National GeoParks in Germany.
Our photo shows from left: Dr. Christof Ellger, Geo-Union; Christina Plass, Geopark; Manfred Goerig, Chairman Geopark; Max Garchow, Major Conservation Project; Hannelore Greb, Geopark; Susanne Schaab, Deputy Chairwoman Geopark; Edwin Schneider, Board of Directors Geopark; Hartmut Greb, Managing Director Geopark.