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Experiencing Bavarias Geological Heritage—the Project “Hundred Masterpieces”

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Abstract

From its beginning, protection of the geological heritage of Bavaria followed a rather accidental, not necessarily a science-based pattern. As a consequence, reliable data were needed, and therefore, in 1985, the former Bavarian Geological Survey (now Department Geological Survey of the Bavarian Environment Agency) started the systematic collection of information about geosites. A database was established including detailed evaluation procedures for each single object. In order to improve the knowledge about geosites and Earth history for the general public, the project “Hundred masterpieces—Bavarias most beautiful Geosites” was started in 2001. For this purpose, 100 geosites were selected statewide and presented to the public, subsequently receiving an official award from the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment. Clear information was provided on-site by presentation panels as well as by leaflets and Web pages. Much emphasis was placed on soliciting sponsorship by local organizations in order to transfer the responsibility for site maintenance into their hands. In 2011, the project was completed by a public inauguration of the hundredth geosite and the publication of a guide book offering valuable information about each individual geosite. On the whole, deficiencies were rare and insignificant, proving that the results are highly successful.

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Acknowledgements

This project could only be realized with the help of numerous staff members of the Geological Survey of Bavaria and the Bavarian Environment Agency. Many specialists not mentioned also contributed their particular knowledge and did not spare any effort to transfer the sometimes difficult geological issues into a generally understandable form. We are very thankful to their substantial input, enthusiasm, and patience in all these years. Illustration material for this article was kindly provided by Rosemarie Loth, Hof, and Antje Böhmer, Hof. The generous funding of the project by the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment for so many years is acknowledged, and we must not forget all the high ranking multipliers and sponsors who made the initiative known and helped to consolidate it statewide. We are also indebted to the reviewers Kurt Goth/Freiberg and Michael Schmidt-Thomé/Hannover for their constructive remarks on the original version of this article. And our special thanks go to Anne Lagally, München, for valuable discussions and contributions during the project realization as well as assistance with the preparation and revision of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibnizstrasse 19, 80686, Munich, Germany

    Ulrich Lagally

  2. Bavarian Environment Agency: Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Dienststelle Hof, Hans-Högn-Strasse 12, 95030, Hof, Germany

    Georg Loth

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  1. Ulrich Lagally
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Correspondence to Ulrich Lagally.

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Lagally, U., Loth, G. Experiencing Bavarias Geological Heritage—the Project “Hundred Masterpieces”. Geoheritage 9, 519–531 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-016-0209-9

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