Xiangxi Global Geopark Holds Sister Geopark Joint Event for the 57th World Earth Day and the 7th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Week

The event was organized by the Xiangxi Prefecture Forestry Bureau and hosted by the Xiangxi Global Geopark Administration Office, Xiangxi Global Geopark Museum, and the Management Office of Guzhang Hongshilin (Red Stone Forest) National Geopark. Shi Shaofeng, member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director-general of the Xiangxi Prefecture Forestry Bureau, and Su Jihong, Vice Mayor of the Guzhang County People’s Government, attended the event together with representatives from the Guzhang County Forestry Bureau, geopark management offices from all seven counties and county-level cities, Furong School of Guzhang County, Hunan Hongshilin Tourism Development Co., Ltd., and more than 200 participants.

At the opening ceremony, Su Jihong delivered a speech, noting that Guzhang County is home to core landscape resources of Xiangxi Global Geopark. She said the county has consistently adhered to the principles of ecological priority and green development, relying on the geopark’s unique geoheritage and ecological resources to continuously promote geology science popularization activities in schools and communities, while fostering public awareness of ecological protection.

She called on all sectors of society to take World Earth Day as an opportunity to actively participate in geological resource protection and geopark development, promote the deep integration of geological, ecological, and cultural landscapes, and achieve a win-win outcome between ecological conservation and sustainable local economic development.

Shi Shaofeng then officially announced the launch of the sister geopark joint event for the 57th World Earth Day and the 7th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Week at Xiangxi Global Geopark.

Following the ceremony, a lively and professional geology science popularization class was held at Furong School of Guzhang County. Students listened attentively and actively participated in discussions, experiencing the fascinating world of earth sciences through engaging presentations while strengthening their awareness of protecting the Earth and safeguarding the environment.

After the class, participants visited science popularization exhibition boards and fossil specimen displays. Staff distributed geology science popularization brochures and organized interactive quiz activities with prizes. Visitors closely observed various fossil specimens, actively learned about geoheritage protection and ecological conservation, and further deepened their understanding of Xiangxi Global Geopark through the interactive activities.

During the event, participants also conducted field visits to Erzhuo Valley and Red Stone Forest, both partners of Xiangxi Global Geopark, showcasing the geopark’s achievements in geo-site resource protection, rural revitalization, and ecotourism development.

The event served not only as an important platform for promoting earth science knowledge and ecological civilization, but also as a valuable opportunity to strengthen exchanges among sister geoparks and showcase the geological charm of Xiangxi.

Going forward, Xiangxi Global Geopark will continue to strengthen science popularization efforts and regularly carry out outreach activities across schools, communities, institutions, enterprises, villages, and scenic areas, promoting the high-quality development of Xiangxi Global Geopark and contributing to the building of a Beautiful Xiangxi.