GeoSchool Visit: Benito Juárez Elementary School
Geoeducation is a key line of action within UNESCO Global Geoparks. Therefore, during the revalidation mission of the Comarca Minera Geopark, a visit was made to the Benito Juárez Elementary GeoSchool, located in the community of Velasco, Omitlán de Juárez. The UNESCO evaluators, Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde, were welcomed by Mr. Noé Rogelio Esperón Hernández, principal of the school, and Ms. Adela Junco Varela, vice principal. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the Geopharmacy project, implemented in one of the school’s gardens with support from the Benito Juárez García University for Wellbeing (UBBJ), Huasca de Ocampo campus. This space allows children to learn about medicinal plants and strengthen the connection between knowledge, territory, and education. Also present during the visit were Dr. Ana María Soler, Director of Communication at the UNAM Institute of Geophysics and member of the Geopark’s Advisory Technical and Scientific Committee;…
Omitlán de Juárez Geopark Guardians Management Plan Results
During the evaluation mission, UNESCO specialists Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde learned about the results of the management plan for the Omitlán de Juárez Geopark Guardians, the first group of Guardians established within the territory. During the meeting, the Guardians shared the training sessions they have received to become Geopark Guardians, as well as the strategies and activities they have developed in the municipality. These include visits to educational centers to promote Geopark values, collaboration with local festivals highlighting Omitlán’s gastronomy, enhancing the visibility of geoproducts and providing training for geoproducers, and working alongside the Geopark Guardians network to promote editions of the Expogeoparque. They also discussed the sustainability actions they implement through their own businesses and ventures, as well as their involvement in various Geopark activities. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Ana María Soler, Director of Communication at the UNAM Institute of Geophysics and member…
Outcomes of the Omitlán de Juárez Geopark Guardians’ Management Plan
During the evaluation mission, UNESCO specialists Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde learned about the outcomes of the management plan developed by the Omitlán de Juárez Geopark Guardians, the first group of Guardians established within the territory. During the meeting, the Guardians shared the training they received to qualify as Geopark Guardians, along with the strategies and activities implemented in the municipality. These initiatives include visiting schools to promote Geopark values, collaborating with local festivals to highlight Omitlán’s cuisine, raising awareness of geoproducts, organizing training sessions for geoproducers, and working alongside the broader Geopark Guardians network to support editions of the Expogeoparque. They also discussed the sustainability practices integrated into their own businesses and ventures, as well as their active participation in various Geopark initiatives. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Ana María Soler, Director of Communication at the UNAM Institute of Geophysics and member of the Geopark…
Proud Partner Awards Presented to Geoguides in Huasca de Ocampo
As part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Comarca Minera revalidation mission and in the presence of UNESCO specialists Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde, Geopark Proud Partner recognitions were presented to geoguides of Huasca de Ocampo. They were honored for their commitment to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and for promoting responsible practices that contribute to appreciating and conserving the geological, natural, and cultural heritage of the territory. We welcome to the Geopark Proud Partners Network: Marcos Noé Hernández Flores and Erick Leduc, from Noche de Leyendas Huasca; Alejandra Sosa Márquez, from Lunada Mágica; Alexis Roberto Barrientos González and Lesly López Álvarez, from El Espíritu del Bosque; and Ricardo Juárez Aguilar, from Experiencias HMTB. As part of the meeting, the geoguides shared a fusion of their night tours, showing geotourists that Huasca de Ocampo is part of a territory recognized internationally for its exceptional geological, natural, and cultural richness, while…
Visit to La Casa del Artesano, Proud Partner of the Geopark
As part of the Geopark’s revalidation mission, UNESCO evaluators visited Mineral del Chico to learn firsthand about the projects and actions that strengthen the sustainable development of our territory. The day began at La Casa del Artesano, a Proud Partner of the Geopark, where UNESCO specialists Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde learned about this community initiative and the work done by our artisans and Geopark Guardians. Represented by Saúl Zenteno Osorio, the artisans shared how La Casa del Artesano came to be and how a space was built to harmoniously integrate local producers. They also presented the variety of geoproducts they craft, from handiwork to edible items, reflecting the creativity, knowledge, and cultural richness of Mineral del Chico. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Juan Carlos Mora Chaparro, Scientific Lead of the Geopark, and M.Sc. María del Carmen Oviedo Parra, General Manager of the Geopark. La Casa…
UNESCO Specialists Visit Mineral del Chico and Meet with the Municipal President and His Team
As part of the Geopark’s revalidation itinerary, evaluators Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde held a working meeting with the Municipal President of Mineral del Chico, Fernando Baltazar Monzalvo, to learn about joint initiatives developed between the municipality, the Geopark, and local Geopark Guardians (Guardianes). During the meeting, participants highlighted administrative efforts to secure a dedicated space for La Casa del Artesano (House of the Artisan), a community initiative designed to boost the presence and value of handicrafts made by local Geoproducers. In addition, the Geopark Guardians presented the Community Mining Museum project (Museo Comunitario de la Minería), an initiative that helps preserve and promote the mining heritage and history of Mineral del Chico. To conclude the session, an official Proud Partner (Socio Orgulloso) plaque was awarded to the restaurant and lodge Acacia Cocina de Campo, represented by Roberto Hernández Olvera, acknowledging their commitment to sustainability and the appreciation…
UNESCO Specialists Visit the Presa El Cedral Geosite in Mineral del Chico
As part of the revalidation mission for the UNESCO Global Geopark Comarca Minera, UNESCO evaluators Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde toured the Presa El Cedral Geosite, where they were welcomed by members of the ejidal committee: Juan Ubaldo Vargas, Olga Lidia Ubaldo Vargas, Diego Monsalvo Hernández, and Lucas Trigueros Jiménez. During the tour, the ejidatarios shared their management approach for the geosite, as well as the initiatives implemented to strengthen its operations and generate local community benefits. Notable among these actions is the acquisition of an ambulance and the corresponding staff training for its operation and emergency care, enhancing safety and medical support for visitors, site workers, and community members alike. This meeting allowed the evaluators to gain firsthand insight into how local communities actively manage, conserve, and highlight the geological heritage within the territory. We extend our sincere gratitude to the managers of the Presa El Cedral…
Geopark Culinary Exhibition
As part of the revalidation mission for the UNESCO Global Geopark Comarca Minera, a culinary exhibition was held to share the rich traditional cuisine and edible geoproducts of our territory. During the event, attendees enjoyed dishes and geoproducts that are central to the gastronomic identity of local communities, such as barbacoa, mushroom soup, pastes, cahuiche mole, metzal tamales, buñuelos, artisanal ice cream, flavored pulque (curados), maguey pulquero spirits, rompope (eggnog), and other traditional beverages and dishes. Joining this celebration of local flavors were UNESCO evaluators Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde; Dr. Ana María Soler, Director of Communication at the Institute of Geophysics (UNAM) and member of the Geopark’s Technical-Scientific Advisory Committee; Dr. Juan Carlos Mora Chaparro, Scientific Lead of the Geopark; and M.Sc. María del Carmen Oviedo Parra, General Manager of the Geopark. Also in attendance were Eng. Jaime Lagunas Brito, Acting Director of the Barranca de Metztitlán…
Geotours Focused on Maguey and Geological Maps of Singuilucan Are Presented to UNESCO Global Geoparks Evaluators
As part of the revalidation mission for the UNESCO Global Geopark Comarca Minera, UNESCO evaluators Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde held a meeting with the Municipal President of Singuilucan, M.Sc. Yazmín Dávila López, and her team. During the meeting, they shared ongoing initiatives being developed in the municipality in collaboration with the Geopark. These include the creation of geological and agricultural land-use maps, geotourism, and the preservation of biocultural heritage surrounding maguey, pulque, and local gastronomy—strategies that contribute to the understanding, management, and appreciation of the territory. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Juan Carlos Mora Chaparro, Scientific Lead of the Geopark, and M.Sc. María del Carmen Oviedo Parra, General Manager of the Geopark. Moving forward together in sustainable development management, conservation, and the safeguarding of Singuilucan’s biocultural heritage.
The Basaltic Prisms Geosite is visited during the revalidation mission of the UNESCO Global Geopark Comarca Minera
UNESCO evaluators Dr. César Goso and Dr. Carlos Merizalde visited the Basaltic Prisms Geosite, where they were welcomed by Eng. Roberto Moncayo Morales and ejidatario partners responsible for managing the site. During the working meeting, key topics regarding geosite management were addressed, along with actions that have contributed to its national and international positioning. The meeting also highlighted the Geopark’s ongoing support through continuous training and advisory services in areas such as solid waste management and risk prevention, strengthening the capacity of those involved in the geosite’s conservation. In addition, the Geopark presented the new interpretative panel for the Basaltic Prisms Geosite, an educational tool designed to enhance outreach and public understanding of the territory’s geological and natural heritage. The visit was attended by Dr. Ana María Soler, Director of Communication at the Institute of Geophysics (UNAM) and member of the Geopark’s Technical-Scientific Advisory Committee; Dr. Juan Carlos Mora Chaparro,…