Photo: Terttu Hermansson

From June 25th to 29th, two UNESCO Geopark assessors from around the world will arrive at the Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark area, one from Greece and the other from Norway. The first assessment aimed at Geopark membership was carried out four years ago, and now we will see how the area has responded to the goals and recommendations set for UNESCO Global Geoparks. The issues and sites developed during the four years will be described and presented to the assessors.

The Lauhanvuori−Hämeenkangas Geopark area is located in the area of ​​three provinces and nine municipalities. The area includes Kauhajoki, Isojoki and Karijoki in South Ostrobothnia, Karvia, Siikainen, Kankaanpää and Jämijärvi in ​​North Satakunta, and Parkano and Kihniö in Pirkanmaa. The area received UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2020 and has since been an active member of Geopark networks worldwide and in Finland. The area has continued to invest heavily in, among other things, the development of hiking infrastructure, routes, guidance and sites, networking and promoting sustainable tourism and the visibility of sites and the area. The work is never finished, but development work continues.

The assessors will stay in the area for about four days and get to know all aspects, talk to the people in the area and report their observations to UNESCO. Based on their assessments, UNESCO will make a decision on what color card we will receive, i.e. whether we can continue as a UNESCO Global Geopark with a clear conscience.

Read the Geopark's full press release LHGeopark interim evaluation bulletin 06/23 (PDF)

For more information:
Terttu Hermansson, Executive Director, Lauhanvuori−Hämeenkangas Geopark Association, tel. 040 6757 363, [email protected]