Conclusions del Congrés d'Olot VolcandPark I (2012)

FIRST CONGRESS ON MANAGEMENT AND AWARENESS IN PROTECTED VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES CONCLUSIONS The first Congress on Management and Awareness in Protected Volcanic Landscapes (Volcandpark), held in Olot, Natural Park of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone, Catalonia, Spain, from 21 to 25 of May 2012, was promoted by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI).

Over one hundred participants were engaged in theVolcandpark Congress, which included 44 presentations and 71 posters from over 20 different countries. The structure of the conclusions begins with the action points and then follows the topics addressed during the four day sessions and debates.

The success of Volcandpark has proven that the approach is timely, productive and can make significant contributions to the volcanic heritage conservation and knowledge, as well as to local or regional communities related to volcanic regions.

Main actions to undertake 1. Ensuring the continuity of this conference.

Given the success of the first Volcandpark, a similar event could be held every two years, in different regions to promote geographical equity. Following an offer by the Supervisor of Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park, there was agreement that the second Volcandpark Congress will held in Hawai’I at the Park.

2. Disseminating the results of this Congress.

There are various ways to undertake this, including: • publishing a selection of papers dealing with the main aspects that have been discussed in international journals (e.g. devoting a special issue including the conclusions of this Congress); • publishing a multi-authored synthesis paper in an international journal; • publishing a paper in a non-scientific journal involved in park management and/or geological heritage; and • other forms of communication to managers, decision-makers and the public 3. Promoting the creation of a working group on Geological Heritage within the IUCN World Commission of Protected Areas.

This could be in the form of a Specialist Group on volcanic geological heritage liaising with all the appropriate organisations, such as IAVCEI, IUGS, Geoparks working group, etc. The group might have three initial goals:

a. Prepare guidelines on protected volcanic areas b. Construct and maintain a website for distributing general information on volcanic protected areas to scientists and professionals involved in communication c. Edit a series of field guides including all related information (geological , volcanological, access, landscape, ecosystems, society, traditions, etc) following the same format, on a careful selection of volcanic protected areas, chosen to represent the world’s diversity.

The participatory processes required for these actions will expand the professional network of people engaged in the management and awareness on protected volcanic landscapes, enable an exchange of information, and promote discussion on key issues.

The following points encapsulate the main findings of the four sessions of the Congress, devoted to Management, Research and communication, Geotourism, Environmental Education and Awareness Management Although numerous volcanic protected areas have been critical to safeguarding geological heritage, worldwide, only one quarter of protected areas which evaluate their performance are considered effective in fulfilling their mission. Loss of natural heritage continues unabated in many places. Despite the might and large scale of volcanic phenomena unique or fragile volcanic features continue to be destroyed or degraded in many areas.

Therefore, increased efforts have to be made to ensure effectiveness of volcanic protected areas, adapting the IUCN Guidelines of protected area management to the local and regional contexts.

In general, effective protected area management requires: A strong, shared vision of what protection means, including environmental sustainability of important values and features Ensuring that management objectives are met and are cost-effective Sound scientific knowledge to inform management and public use Vigorous cooperative relationships among key stakeholders Encouragement of local initiatives and involvement of local communities and businesses An management plan to provide a roadmap for the future Good communication, using plain language, that connects to the core values and feelings of local people and can also be appropriate for visitors Trust and commitment from all involved partners Periodic, honest review and evaluation.

In some volcanic areas the local population has to be protected from volcanic activity. In other cases, volcanic areas have to be protected from human activities. In both cases, understanding, valuing and respecting the volcanic features is the key.

Taking into consideration indigenous and local views, as well as existing appropriate governance systems results in more equitable and effective protected areas.

This is particularly significant in cases of sacred volcanoes or sacred volcanic landscapes where traditional custodians should be involved at all stages, following the 2008 IUCNUNESCO “Sacred Natural Sites, Guidelines for Protected Area Managers�. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a good example in this respect.

Intangible values related to cultural and natural heritage are normally important in volcanic areas. They also need to be taken into account by protected area managers, along with other special values.

Managing volcanic risks is particularly important on active volcanoes. Volcanic risk reduction in active or potentially active volcanoes includes land management zoning and planning, suitable infrastructure, research, monitoring, alert levels, response plans including evacuation routes, etc and communication. Tongariro, Hawaii and Iceland have good examples of these. Authorities and local people need to participate as appropriate.

Involving the public in planning and emergency response is a complex issue but it assures their commitment and is a great tool for building capacities and awareness.

Volcanic risk reduction should start at schools according to the level of risk. Iceland provides a good example of that.

Scientific Values and Research ,,To conserve the geological heritage of protected volcanic areas a sound knowledge of their geological and volcanological aspects is required. Such knowledge will ensure their values can be understood and better managed. Scientific information needs to be up-todate, put into context, and disseminated to the local population and visitors. This last step requires consensus among scientists involved, to avoid confusion.

Protected area managers and authorities should be involved with scientists in the process of prioritizing, defining and approving research to be conducted in protected areas.

Cooperation between agencies and stakeholders involved will assist the research. The main scientific research needs and values should be identified. International support is required in many impoverished countries to develop basic and much needed research.

Specific programmes aimed to promote and support research in protected areas are needed in many protected areas, specially when there are hazards or risk of future volcanic or seismic activity affecting human lives, goods or livelihoods.

In densely populated areas and/or complex political contexts, research focusing on the key conservation issues is basic for ensuring sound and effective adaptative management and development of appropriate education programmes to stir community involvement in conservation. Involvement of local people in the research may broaden benefits of it.

Geology should be a key theme for many aspects of management of protected volcanic areas. For high risk volcanic areas, measures such as research and monitoring of volcanic activity and processes have to be a priority.

It is important that managers of volcanic protected areas work closely with geologists on key aspects like hazard assessment and geological heritage conservation.

Geotourism and Sustainable Local Development

Geotourism is a an emerging form of tourism, which is rapidly growing all over the world.

The benefits of geotourism can be measured through environmental, social and economic indicators, such as increased natural heritage conservation, improved social benefits like self esteem, jobs and incomes. Since it “adds values� to local or regional communities, it economically supports geological heritage conservation. These benefits have to be adequately communicated to the wider society.

There is a need to gain a greater understanding of the nature and characteristics of geotourism, specially in relation to the importance of placing geology at the centre of its destination. Geotourism research is in its infancy. More research is required in regard to its characteristics, impacts and management.

Geotourism development requires special expertise in the communication of geological heritage. This requires geologists to work alongside educators so that geological information is interpreted appropriately for tourists in ,geological landscapes.

Most protected volcanic areas have generated exciting tourism products and opportunities for public use, which provide substantial community benefits. A key element of any form of tourism development is interpretation.

Geotourism starts with, or is based on, the abiotic geological environment but also comprises biological and cultural elements. Geotourism develops geological tourism products, creating high quality tourist experiences, and includes appropriate interpretation. It is driven by a tourism’s sustainable focus, that is, a combination of environmental, social and economic goals. Thus geotourism can become a major tool for regional economic sustainable development.

When adequately planned and managed, Geoparks and Geosites have proven to be useful tools for geotourism, either alone of complementing other existing protected areas.

Many Geoparks, such as the Azores islands or Yuntaishan Geopark of China, provide good examples of the large social and economic benefits that well managed and developed Geotourism can provide. On the other hand, the experience of the European Charter on Sustainable Tourism, successfully implemented in the Natural Park of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone for over one decade, has proven an effective approach for fostering partnerships between public and private operators around protected areas. It could inspire many other volcanic protected areas to adopt either the same or a similar approach.

, Communication, Education and Public Awareness Environmental communication, education and public awareness in volcanic protected areas should focus on resolving the main management problems including the main threats and challenges facing management.

To be successful environmental communication, education and public awareness need to be applied in appropriate ways and at more than one level, carefully adapted to local cultural values and target audiences.

Public awareness and public support is crucial for the long term conservation of any protected area. Within both the local population and the visitors to protected areas there usually are a number of different communities, groups and views. Therefore it is essential that the communication and education messages are customised to the diverse target groups.

Successful programmes will involve some appropriate combinations of publicity, interpretation, environmental education and participation. In many volcanic protected areas these programmes are an integral part of the conservation strategy, becoming part of the solution. They also need to ensure a continuous education and capacity building of guides, educators, and all other people involved in communication, adapted to the visitors and local communities.

Realistic and measurable goals should be defined and consistent messaging delivered.

Three characteristics need to be followed: use of ”wow’ factor (aka highlighting the “amazing”), briefness, and clarity. Psychology and cognition may be necessary to consider but it will important to disseminate real examples of good practices when dealing with challenging stakeholders. Understanding peoples’ problems, hopes and needs and the obstacles in every day management will help planning and actions. Even in the most challenging cases, give hope for overcoming challenges and point out feasible solutions.

The more comprehensive information visitors to volcanic protected areas receive, and the better the stories are conveyed to them, the better they will behave and the smaller will be the conflicts with the local population.

Social sciences are valuable too. They can provide volcanic protected area managers with good researchers and methods for ensuring success in environmental education and awareness raising.

The experience of Australia and Iceland including geology and geological heritage in education curricula at different levels, from high school to university degrees, deserves emulation. Also, the IUCN Communication, Environmental Public Awareness Handbook provides many useful insights to be tailored to local contexts.

Additional final conclusions

Geological heritage should be considered at the same level as biological heritage.

Geodiversity is a fundamental part of our common natural heritage. There is an inextricable link among all natural heritage components that form the web of life on which we all depend. Volcanoes are at the origin of life on Earth, and have a regeneration role at the global level.

The global challenges for conservation require a bold, interdisciplinary and cooperative approach, and focussing on what unites all those who have the responsibility to hand this wonderful heritage on to the next generations, developing positive synergies.

Protected Areas need clear social and political support to fulfil their mission, in a global context of increasing pressures and threats. Scientists should make an effort to disseminate their findings, in collaboration with other communication professionals, artists, etc. This needs to be done using diverse appealing and appropriate languages, through the most appropriate and culturally dependent channels, to increase the sense of wonder and respect for volcanic phenomena and their related biological, landscape, cultural and spiritual features.

Finally The participants congratulate all people involved in the organisation of this Congress, and express their profound gratitude to the Natural Park of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone, for hosting the congress in Olot, with the support of the Government of Catalonia, Municipality of Olot, the Ministry of Economy of Spain, the Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera (ICTJA) of Spanish Research Council (CSIC), the International Association of Volcanology (IAVCEI), the Geological Institute of Catalonia, and all the private firms that have sponsored the event. The parallel organization of the Young Volcandpark deserves special recognition, including its final statement.