256-1 Connecting People to Place: A Community Engagement Model for Advancing Geoheritage Stewardship

Session: GSA Noontime Lecture: Marilyn Russell

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Abstract:

Scientific research has the greatest potential to influence conservation when it is accessible, relevant, and connected to the communities who live within the landscapes it seeks to understand. The Geoheritage of Huerfano and Las Animas Counties Initiative is a partnership between La Veta Trails and the University of Colorado Thermochronology Research and Instrumentation Laboratory (CU TRaIL) that demonstrates how university-community collaboration can translate geoscience research into meaningful public engagement and long-term stewardship.

The initiative combines current geologic research with public trails, interpretive storytelling, regional history, and local culture to help residents and visitors develop a deeper understanding of the landscapes they experience. Community engagement efforts include a dedicated geoheritage web resource, interpretive trail guides that connect geologic processes to on-the-ground trail experiences, public presentations, guided hikes, and youth learning opportunities developed in partnership with the La Veta School. Together, these efforts help people move from experiencing a landscape to understanding its geologic story, strengthening their connection to place and encouraging stewardship.

This community engagement model positions geoheritage as a catalyst for education, collaboration, and conservation. By integrating scientific research with place-based learning and local partnerships, the initiative demonstrates how geoscience can foster community investment in protecting significant landscapes while offering a replicable framework for translating research into lasting public impact.

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