OPTIMIZING INFORMAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AT GEOHERITAGE SITES: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION TO CONNECT PLACE, CULTURE, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Geoheritage seeks to preserve geodiversity through geoconservation and address sustainable geotourism, make connections between place and cultural heritage, and facilitate geoscience education in informal and K-16 settings. Since most science learning occurs beyond the classroom, even for K-12 school-aged students, Geoheritage sites offer an educational opportunity to instruct visitors in important scientific constructs, connect cultural stories to the landscape, and address global challenges. At the beginning of the 21^st century, one third of Americans were interested in tourism, and most travelers acknowledged that learning enhanced their experiences. The number of people who engage in geotourism may be rising: the Covid-19 global pandemic brought renewed travel interest for exploring the natural environment, with some US national parks reporting record numbers of visitors. Since education is part of the National Park Service’s mission statement, these sites tend to have well-developed signage and educational outreach, but not all Geoheritage sites offer equal educational opportunities. However, low-cost options exist so that all Geoheritage sites can optimize informal learning opportunities for their visitors’ education, awareness, and enjoyment—from simple signage, brochures/e-brochures, QR codes to informative websites, and virtual field excursions. By explicitly addressing the big ideas in the Earth Science Literacy Initiative and some of the National Science Foundation’s critical research questions, Geoheritage sites can instruct visitors in sustainable development and climate change for a more geoliterate population.