On Wednesday, April 7, the Canadian Geoparks Network held its first Aspiring Geoparks Workshop for 2021. The 1-hour zoom event was organized by Pierre Verpaelst, CGN Aspiring Geoparks Liaison, and was focused on community engagement. Representatives from each of the five Canadian Global Geoparks gave a presentation to representatives from the six Canadian Aspiring Geoparks, including Cabox in Newfoundland and Labrador, Charlevoix in Quebec, Temiskaming, Rift Valley and Big Impact in Ontario, and Sea to Sky Fire and Ice in British Columbia.

The workshop began with a welcome and opening remarks by Pierre Verpaelst and Canadian Geoparks Chairperson John Calder.

They were followed by Manda Maggs of Tumbler Ridge Geopark in British Columbia, who discussed partnership and user outreach

and strategic partners and stakeholders.

Next up was Max Deck-Leger representing Géoparc de Percé in Quebec, who discussed community engagement in the first French-speaking Geopark in the Americas.

Cyndy Snead, Geopark Manager at Discovery Geopark on Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula, gave a slideshow presentation that described Canada’s most easterly geopark, while also discussing its focus on community connections.

Catrina Russell of Stonehammer Geopark in New Brunswick (Canada’s oldest geopark) next gave a detailed slideshow entitled Creating Meaningful Partnerships that covered partnerships with various institutions, tour operators and arts community.

It also touched upon community engagement, from the scientific community to schools and the general public.

The final Canadian Geopark presentation was given by chairperson John Calder, who participated in the development of Nova Scotia’s Cliffs of Fundy Geopark which, along with Newfoundland and Labrador’s Discovery Geopark, are the newest geoparks in Canada.

As with the other presentations, John focused on community involvement, from First Nations to the community welcome center.