Certain regions in Switzerland have been operating as geoparks since the 1990s, even before the Swiss park network took shape.
These include:
- Breggia Gorge Park, TI
- Area surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site TektonikArena Sardona, SG, GL, GR
A Rocky Road to Official Swiss Geoparks
To date, the federal government and the FOEN have not supported or funded any Swiss geoparks. Since 2007, they have focused on three categories of Swiss parks and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites.
Since 2001, three regions in Switzerland have been designated as World Heritage Sites—the only ones of their kind in the world—due to their geological features:
- TektonikArena Sardona, GL, GR, SG
- Monte San Giorgio, TI
- Swiss Alps: Jungfrau-Aletsch, BE, VS
These sites are considered worthy of protection for all of humanity and future generations! Here is an overview of Switzerland's World Heritage Sites and biosphere reserves.
The following diagram illustrates the hierarchy between
and the distinct categories of World Heritage Sites, geoparks, and national parks.
UNESCO Global Geoparks
In 2015, the UNESCO General Conference decided to integrate the Global Geoparks Network into the international geosciences program. This led to the creation of another area-based program: “UNESCO Global Geoparks.”
As a member state of UNESCO, Switzerland will implement this decision in 2020 in accordance with applicable laws.
Source: FOEN
UNESCO Geoparks in Switzerland
The predecessor to the SCNAT Geopatrimony Commission provided support during negotiations with the FOEN and the FDFA regarding the implementation of potential UNESCO geoparks in Switzerland.
If an area meets national and international requirements, it may be awarded the “UNESCO Global Geopark” designation by UNESCO and become a member of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN).