​​​October 6^th, International Geodiversity Day celebrates «the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms, sediments, and soils, together with the natural processes that form and alter them. It includes past and present geological and geomorphological features and processes that record the history of the Earth and the evolution of life forms as represented in the geological record, including plants and animals and their habitats. The elements of geodiversity provide the foundation for life on Earth, and they maintain natural capital and ecosystem services.» (Crofts et al., 2020).

Geoheritage are those geodiversity elements with particular geological value and hence worthy of safeguard for the benefit of present and future generations. Geoheritage can include both in situ elements (geosites) or ex situ elements (collections of geological specimens).

Geodiversity and geoheritage are important because:

• They are the foundation on which all biodiversity is based;
• They are central to the existence of ecoservices systems;
• They help us examine our geological history (Memory of the Earth);
• They enable us to develop an awareness about our physical environment;
• They help us understand and explain why we are the way we are;
• They are fundamental to our earthsystems and plays an important role in our politics, society, business and world view;
• They are part of our natural capital.
  
  A roundup from Geological Survey Ireland for 2025:

1. Supporting geoheritage monitoring and protection at our historic mines and mining industry heritage.
2. Supporting community and locally based groups develop geoheritage initiatives that support, promote and protect our heritage, while bringing sustainable development, education and tourism to our communities.
3. Participation as vice chair of the EuroGeoSurveys expert group on geoheritage.
4. Completion of the Geoheritage Audit of Co Kerry, supporting the actions laid out in their county development plan and completing for the first-time ever, a national data set of geoheritage sites for Ireland.
5. These audited geoheritage sites are included in all local authority planning sections, and are constraints that must be considered in the environmental assessment, planning, and policy projects.
6. Providing advice to local authorities in the development of their heritage plans, and landscape character assessments.
7. Supporting the 5 UNESCO Global Geoparks on the island of Ireland.
8. Participation as the vice chair of the UNESCO Global Geopark Networks Advisory Committee.
9. Participation as a member of the UNESCO European Geopark Network.
10. Participation as chair of the Irish UNESCO Geopark Network, Supporting the annual conference this year themed 'natural capital and the role of UNESCO Global Geoparks'.
11. Support to the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere.