ProGEO - Euro Geo Conservation
ProGEO is the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage. ProGEO is working to promote the protection of Europe's typical and important landscapes, as well as its many-faceted inheritance of geological phenomena, all of the greatest scientific and cultural importance Europe was the birthplace of the science of geology. Its rocks, fossils, minerals and landforms have inspired the great figures of World geology over the last two centuries. They are still an inspiration to modern researchers and students at all levels, and have a fascination for a wider public. Our knowledge of the Earth - of the landscapes around us, of volcanic activity and of the building of mountains, of the evolution of life, of the ascent of Man, and of the creation of all the mineral resources on which our culture depends - is based on an understanding of essential rock and landform localities. It is vital that this inheritance be conserved.

ProGEO is an association that is open to all, and most of Europe's nations are represented by members. ProGEO is the beginning of a truly international and democratic body which has the capacity and the legitimate right to speak for involved in geoconservation in Europe: it is thus the only body of its kind. The inspiration of the First International Symposium at Digne in 1991 provided a great momentum for the developing cause of European Earth-science conservation, and an ethos to underpin the day-to-day efforts of ProGEO and all in the field, in the form of the Digne Declaration. The Second International Symposium, ProGEO' 96, was held in Rome in May 1996, and the third in Madrid in November 1999.

Earth-science conservation in Europe is, comparatively, still weak. ProGEO intends to give it a stronger voice, and to act as a forum for the discussion of issues, advising and influencing policy makers. It will assist fellow workers in those states where conservation initiatives need our support. ProGEO provides the only focus for the many individuals and organisations who have been proclaiming the need for greater conservation efforts to protect our irreplaceable heritage. In the last year ProGEO has contributed substantially to the new Pan European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, which now fully recognises the importance of geology and physical landscapes, and it has forged an alliance with the International Union of Geological Sciences and UNESCO for whom it is compiling a European inventory for the Geosites project.

ProGEO's objectives are:
1. To promote the conservation of Europe's rich heritage of landscape, rock, fossil and mineral sites.
2. To inform a wider public of the importance of this patrimony, and of its relevance to modern society.
3. To advise, in our countries and in Europe as a whole, those responsible for protecting our Earth heritage.
4. To organise and participate in research into all aspects of planning, science, management and interpretation that are relevant to geoconservation.
5. To involve all countries in Europe, exchanging ideas and information in an open forum, and taking a full part in conservation in a global setting, including the formulation of conventions and legislation.
6. To work towards an integrated European listing of outstanding geoscience sites, thus enabling full support to be given to the work of other international bodies, as well as to national initiatives towards site protection.
7. To achieve an integrated approach to nature conservation, promoting a holistic approach to the conservation of biological and physical phenomena.

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