Popular Science Education Activity Launched in Red Stone National Geopark
On the morning of September 8, the launching ceremony of the popular science education activities in Geoparks within Xiangxi Prefecture was held in Guzhang County’s Red Stone National Geopark, which was formed about 450 million years ago. This has officially initiated the activities of Xiangxi Prefecture to declare the Global Geopark and carry out geoscience education. This was done to comply with the procedure and requirements for the declaration of the Global Geopark, as well as a new attempt to conduct extensive exchanges and cooperation in geosciences among geoparks, local residents, research institutions and colleges and universities.
Leaders of Xiangxi Prefecture, including Liu Xiaogang, deputy director of Xiangxi Prefecture People’s Congress (the fifth from right), Li Ping, vice governor of Xiangxi Prefecture (the forth from right), Xiang Dingtian, vice chair of Xiangxi Prefecture CPPCC (the second from left in the back row), and experts distribute popular science education books and brochures to the students from Hongshilin Primary School and take photos with them
The event was attended by more than 200 participants, including Liu Xiaogang, deputy director of Xiangxi Prefecture People’s Congress, Li Ping, vice governor of Xiangxi Prefecture, Xiang Dingtian, vice chair of Xiangxi Prefecture CPPCC, experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Zhongnan University, and Jishou University, leaders from relevant organizations directly under the administration of Xiangxi Prefecture, local residents, as well as representatives of teachers and students from Hongshilin Primary School.
During the event, leaders from Xiangxi Prefecture and experts distributed popular science books and brochures to local residents, students, and staff of the Red Rock National Geopark. Following the promotional film of Xiangxi Geopark , the ceremony of plaque and flag was held. Liu Xiaogang awarded the plaque of Photographic Creation Center under the Photographers Association of Xiangxi Prefecture to the Red Stone National Geopark, while Xiang Dingtian awarded the flag of Li Siguang's squadron to Hongshilin School. Experts from the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; the School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University; the College of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Jishou University awarded the plaques of the teaching and research base to Red Stone National Geopark, respectively. Central South University also awarded the plaque of the talent training base for school-enterprise cooperation to Red Stone National Geopark. Dr. Zhang Jing from the Institute of Karst Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences delivered a wonderful lecture on popular science to the participants present at the event, and answered relevant questions.
Li Ping, vice governor of Xiangxi Prefecture, delivers a keynote speech
In his speech, Li Ping said, Xiangxi Prefecture will spend four years in declaring a global geopark by combining two world geological relics, three national geoparks and three provincial geoparks within the prefecture to enhance the visibility and influence of geosites in Xiangxi, so that more people can enjoy the natural, cultural, historical and other resources in the geosite parks. At the same time, efforts will be made to create an international tourism brand, and promote the sustainable development of the regional economy in order to benefit the local people, facilitate targeted poverty alleviation, and achieve the overall goal of building Xiangxi into a well-known ecological and cultural park in China and beyond.
Li also stressed that conducting geoscience education activities is an important part of applying for the Global Geopark. All authorities at various levels should reach a common understanding on and accurately promote the domestic and international regulations, policies, and concepts, as well as the relations between protection and development, raise the awareness of balancing protection and exploitation, and fully demonstrate the harmonious coexistence between the human beings and geosites. It is necessary to focus on the key fields, and carry out popular science education and training activities in various forms and ways in schools, communities, organizations/institutions, and geosites so as to raise the public awareness of conserving geosites and meet the public needs of easy access to relevant information. He also pointed out that all stakeholders should work together to promote the efforts, establish a win-win cooperation mechanism with scientific research institutions and universities, actively sign cooperation agreements, create a favorable scientific research environment, and publish scientific research findings in a timely manner with an ultimate goal of building Xiangxi Prefecture into a well-known base for karst geological research and academic support both at home and abroad. It is important to develop more materials for publicity which should be truthful, scientific and accurate; keep the documents on file in time for easy reporting and evaluation, and contribute to the successful declaration of Xiangxi Global Geopark.
Liu Xiaogang, deputy director of Xiangxi Prefecture People’s Congress, awards the plaque of Photographic Creation Center under the Photographers Association of Xiangxi Prefecture to the Red Stone National Geopark
Xiang Dingtian, vice chair of Xiangxi Prefecture CPPCC, awards the flag of Li Siguang Squardron to Hongshilin School
Some universities award the plaques of the teaching and research base to Red Stone National Geopark, respecitvely
Dr. Zhang Jing from the Institute of Karst Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences delivers a wonderful lecture on popular science to the participants present at the event, and answers relevant questions.
Students read books on geosciences
Popular science education activities on geoparks launched in Xiangxi Prefecture
Popular science education activities on geoparks launched in Xiangxi Prefecture
