Opening of the 8th GeoLAC Network Conference and the 6th Mexican Symposium on Geoheritage and Geoparks
With the participation of Dr. Artur Sá, President of the UNESCO Global Geoparks; Dr. Emmaline Rosado Gonzalez, Coordinator of the GeoLAC Network; and representatives from Latin American Geoparks, this space was inaugurated to facilitate the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and strategies regarding the conservation of geological heritage and sustainable development.Also present at the ceremony were: Dr. Blanca Lucía Prado Pano, Director of the UNAM Institute of Geology; Camilo de la Garza, UNESCO representative in Mexico; Dr. José Luis Palacio Prieto, coordinator of the 8th GeoLAC Conference; Dr. Juan Carlos Mora Chaparro, scientific lead for the Comarca Minera UNESCO Global Geopark; and Dr. Rodolfo Omar Arellano Aguilar, Director of the UNAM National School of Earth Sciences (ENCiT).The inaugural event featured two keynote lectures:“GeoLAC Facing the Future: A Network, a Responsibility, a Shared Commitment,” delivered by Dr. Artur Sá, President of the Global Geoparks Network.“UNESCO Geoparks,” presented by Dr. Verónica Minaya, from…
Geopark and IHM promote learning and entrepreneurship opportunities
Through a partnership between the Hidalgo Women’s Institute (IHM), the UNESCO Global Geopark “Comarca Minera,” and women from the community of El Nopalillo, Epazoyucan—home to the “Cerro de las Navajas” (Hill of the Knives) Geosite—a self-employment course for women was held. The course, titled “Making Piñatas,” was taught by Dr. Lizbeth Yuridia Moreno Monzalvo, a member of the local community. She shared techniques and expertise for crafting piñatas, providing participants with skills that can lead to self-employment and income-generating opportunities. Learning also opens up new possibilities. Thank you to all the participants for making this course possible.
Course for Geoparks in the Latin America and the Caribbean region concludes, held within the framework of the 8th GeoLAC Network Conference
On this second day of the course, specialists in UNESCO Global Geopark management shared their knowledge and experience regarding geological, natural, and cultural heritage, as well as sustainable development.Speakers included:Dr. Asier Hilario, Chair of the IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage; Dr. Thiago Marinho, member of the Global Geoparks Network Executive Committee; and Dr. Emmaline M. Rosado González, coordinator of the Latin America and the Caribbean Geoparks Network.Eight Geopark projects from the region were also presented.We conclude this course with many valuable insights for the improved management of our territories.
Course on Geoparks, held as part of the 8th Conference of the Geoparks Network of Latin America and the Caribbean
On October 19, activities began at the UNAM Institute of Geography in Mexico City, featuring the participation of specialists and representatives from the Global Geoparks Network and the Latin America and the Caribbean Geoparks Network. The opening session was led by Dr. Artur Abreu Sá, President of the UNESCO Global Geoparks; Dr. Emmaline Rosado González, Coordinator of the Latin America and the Caribbean Geoparks Network (GeoLAC); Camilo de la Garza, from the UNESCO Office in Mexico; Dr. María Teresa Sánchez Salazar, Director of the UNAM Institute of Geography; and Dr. José Luis Palacio Prieto, Scientific Coordinator of the Mixteca Alta Geopark. Throughout the day, key topics essential to the development of UNESCO Global Geoparks were addressed by Dr. Artur Sá, President of the Global Geoparks Network; Dr. Nickolas Zouros, Secretary General of the Global Geoparks Network; Dr. Karmah Salman, a member of the Global Geoparks Network Executive Committee; and Dr.…
Science and Sustainable Agriculture Friday at your school!
How does the landscape relate to the fruits that grow in our local area? The Geopark visited schools in Omitlán de Juárez to conduct the workshop “Discovering El Peral: From Landscape to Fruit.” The workshop was led by Alejandra Alvarado Zink, coordinator of the “Youth Towards Research” program at UNAM’s General Directorate for Science Communication, and María del Carmen Oviedo Parra, General Manager of the Comarca Minera UNESCO Global Geopark. The activities took place at the Lic. Carlos Sánchez Mejorada General Rural Primary School in the community of Velasco and the Melchor Ocampo Primary School in the center of Omitlán. The workshops engaged 203 children, introducing them to science and sustainable agriculture through an experience centered on the landscape and fruits of their local region.These activities promote geo-education and learning among children based on their own environment.
Applied Social Cartography for the Comarca Minera Geopark, Hidalgo:”maps that speak and tell stories”
Maps That Speak and Tell Stories On September 19, 20, and 21, the Peña del Aire Geosite hosted the workshop “Social Cartography Applied to the Comarca Minera Geopark, Hidalgo: Maps That Speak and Tell Stories,” an initiative designed by Dr. Líber Antonio Sosa Martínez from UNAM’s Institute of Geophysics. During this participatory event, community members shared their knowledge, experiences, and memories, identifying specific locations, events, and cultural, geological, and natural elements within the territory that are integral to their history and identity. To conclude the workshop, a map was created covering the area of the Peña del Aire Geosite and its surroundings. Participants then compared their representations to identify commonalities, differences, and new elements that could further enrich the maps.Beyond merely depicting a geographic space, the exercise highlighted the value of collective memory and the stories of the territory’s inhabitants, demonstrating that a map can also serve as a tool…
Company Volunteer Group Henkel Visits the El Cedral Dam Geosite
On September 21 and 22, the El Cedral Dam Geosite in Mineral del Chico hosted a geo-education and environmental conservation event, organized by the La Estanzuela ejido in collaboration with Henkel’s volunteer program. During the event, 40 volunteers took part in geo-education workshops for children from the La Estanzuela community. The children learned about their local natural and cultural heritage, the water cycle, aquifer recharge, the region’s volcanic origins, and the importance of conserving the land.In addition to the geo-education workshops, 2,000 trees were planted with the assistance of the *ejido* responsible for the El Cedral Dam Geosite.By forging partnerships to achieve shared goals, the Comarca Minera Geopark contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 17.After all, getting to know our territory is also a way of learning how to care for it. Learn more
1st Miners’ Day Celebration in Mineral del Chico
The history of Mineral del Chico lives on in the hands of those who went down into its mines and forged an identity that, to this day, remains a source of pride for our town. As a result of community meetings focused on creating the Community Mining Museum, the Mineral del Chico Geopark Guardians shared their Annual Work Plan with the community, in which one of the key actions was celebrating Miners’ Day. Thus, through a joint effort between the Geopark Guardians, the participating community, and the El Puente ejido, this commemoration was held for the first time in Mineral del Chico. It served as a tribute to all those men who, during each workday beneath the earth, dedicated their effort, knowledge, and devotion to a trade that shaped the history, identity, and development of our territory. During the event, miners Bartolo Felipe Espinoza, Isaac Moreno González, Moises Cabrera Pérez,…
Are you interested in learning more about the Basaltic Prisms and their importance for communities?
We invite you to the free theoretical-practical course “Introduction to basaltic prisms and their importance for communities,” aimed at tour guides and the general public. The training will be led by Dr. John Jairo Sánchez Aguilar, Full Professor at the Department of Geosciences and Environment, School of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Medellín. Tuesday, June 30, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Basaltic Prisms Geosite Hall Register to receive a certificate of participation: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScY88wgNxZGsA…/viewform Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about one of the most iconic geosites in the UNESCO Global Geopark Comarca Minera!
Reading Promotion Workshops with Youth in the Geopark
With the closing of this school year, the final reading workshop was held at CECyTEH Omitlán de Juárez, where 64 students from groups 4° “G” and 4° “I” participated in a session dedicated to strengthening their love for books. The activity was led by Luz María Ruiz, head of the Children and Youth Geopark Program, who continued introducing the young participants to the volumes available at the UNESCO Comarca Minera Geopark Cultural Center Library – “Casa de la Maestra Con.” The students’ interest was reflected in the borrowing of nine books. Although the formal workshops for this school year have concluded, reading never stops. Every week, we will continue to visit the campus with our Traveling Library to keep the reading habit alive and bring new stories to the entire student community.