On 6 October 2023, we will celebrate International Geodiversity Day (IGD) for the second time. The decision to adopt it was made on 23 November 2021 during the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in Paris.

Poland was one of the leaders among the countries that initiated the discussion on geodiversity during this forum. Our country is also a co-author of the initiative to establish the International Geodiversity Day.

What is geodiversity?

It is inanimate nature, including geological and geomorphological features – mountains, cliffs and monadnocks, gorges, waterfalls, caves, lakes, rivers, streams, peat bogs, as well as rocks, minerals and fossils. An important task of the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute (PGI-NRI) is the protection of geodiversity. This is one of the 11 tasks of the state geological survey included in the Geological and Mining Law.

PGI-NRI promotes geodiversity by actively participating in the establishment of new geoparks, supporting existing initiatives as well as by applying for legal protection of valuable geological sites. We popularise geodiversity by developing new geotouristic paths, maps and geological-tourist guides. We also offer a network of EarthCaches as part of the Geocaching outdoor game. Profile of the Polish Geological Institute-PGI on geocaching.com.

Polish Geological Institute-NRI on geocaching.com

UNESCO Global Geopark Muskau Arch seen from a drone. Photo Marcin Olkowicz

View of the Ślęża Massif (Geopark Przedgórze Sudeckie) from the west. Photo: Paweł Derkowski

Koński Łeb limestone rocks on Mount Kozubiec (Northern Jura Geopark). Photo Monika Krzeczyńska

Inclined layers of dolomites in the Doły Opacie quarry

Baltic cliffs - an example of Poland's geodiversity (photo: Marcin Olkowicz, PGI-PIB)

Exhibits at the PGI-NRI Geological Museum

Film "Geodiversity of Polish landscapes"