133-8 Empowering Students in Geoscience Sustainability and Geoheritage Protection through Civic Engagement

Session: Geology Programs in an Environmental Science World

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Geoheritage offers a unique opportunity to bridge science, culture, sustainability, and community action. This project-based learning technique introduces a dynamic, interdisciplinary model for engaging community college and undergraduate students in geosciences through the identification, research, and protection of geoheritage sites via government proclamations.

By exploring culturally significant locations with underlying geological value, students not only learn Earth science principles but also uncover deep connections between landscapes, sustainability practices, and local identity. This approach fosters environmental stewardship and encourages sustainable land use strategies grounded in geoscientific knowledge.

The initiative challenges students to draft formal proclamations that recognize and advocate for the preservation of these sites—building skills in research, civic engagement, and public communication. Students explore how sustainable geoheritage protection aligns with broader climate resilience goals and local sustainability initiatives. The class project encourages systems thinking, showing students how geology intersects with policy, community planning, and conservation efforts.

Through collaboration with community stakeholders and policymakers, students experience firsthand the power of geoscience to catalyze tangible change. This educational approach transforms passive learning into active citizenship, equipping students with tools to promote sustainability and shape the legacy of their communities.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-5844

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