
ProGEO
International Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage
Description
The East European Working Group was founded in 1997 by Dr. Andrey Lapo (Russian Geological Research Institute - VSEGEI, Saint-Petersburg). Following his tenure, Dr. Marina Vdovets, a senior researcher at VSEGEI was elected as a new coordinator, and held the position until 2020, when Dr. Vladimir Silantiev, a professor of geology at Kazan Federal University, was elected as the current coordinator.The group presently consists of 14 active members, including nine from Saint-Petersburg (VSEGEI), one person each from Kazan (Tatarstan), Moscow and Ulan-Ude (Buryatia), and two person from Irkutsk (Irkutsk Oblast).
Activity of the Working Group:
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studying and monitoring of various geosites in the following regions: Altai, Bashkortostan, Karelia, Komi, Leningrad,Orenburg, Тatarstan, Yaroslavl', and others. Through these efforts, the group has successfully obtained official protected status for some previously unprotected geosites, in addition to publishing books on the subject of geosites;
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organising several conferences, workshops, and excursions focused on geosites in various cities including Saint-Petersburg, Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Syktyvkar, and Ufa. These events aimed to further understanding and appreciation of geosites;
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an annual Scientific and Educational Expedition, known as the "Flotilla of Floating Universities", which takes place in multiple locations along the Volga River;
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preparing the nomination dossiers of the Toratau Geopark and Yangantau Geopark (Bashkortostan) for submission to the UNESCO World Heritage Center;
Activity of the VSEGEI members (Saint-Petersburg) and its results:
– contributing a chapter on Geoconservation in Russia to "Geoheritage in Europe and its conservation" (Wimbledon, W.A.P. & Smith-Meyer, S., Eds., 2012);
– preparing the IUGS Desktop review of the World Heritage nomination "The Lena Pillars, Russian Federation" in relation to its geological and geomorphological values;
– activity in the ProGeo Election Committee (in 2018-2019 as a chair);
– preparing the nomination dossier of The Kapova (Shulgantan) Cave for submission to the UNESCO World Heritage Center;
– an official letter from VSEGEI to support the establishment of the International Geodiversity Day;
–descriptions of officially protected geosites for the digital map of the protected natural areas of the Russian Federation (GIS Atlas);
– official letters to protect the Kushtau Mountain (Bashkortostan) addressed to the highest officials of RussiaтFederation and the Republic of Bashkortostan;
– establishment of the Ingermanland Geopark located in the vicinity of Saint-Petersburg; the group has published three comprehensive guidebooks on geosites, and sightseeing map of the geopark; a guidebook focused on the geodiversity in St. Petersburg architecture is currently in press (it is devoted to the use of rocks and minerals in architecture);
Overall, the East European Working Group has played a significant role in promoting geological conservation and education by conducting extensive research, publishing informational materials, and organizing various events aimed at promoting awareness and appreciation of the geological heritage of the country.
Links
Additional information is available at https://www.americasgeoheritage.com/.