Gemeinnütziger Verein GeoPark Karnische Alpen

The Gemeinnütziger Verein GeoPark Karnische Alpen (Carnic Alps Geopark Non-Profit Association) is an Austrian-registered non-profit organisation that operates the Carnic Alps Geopark, a cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark spanning the Austrian state of Carinthia and the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The association is headquartered in Kötschach-Mauthen, Carinthia, and serves as the administrative and educational hub for the geopark. Its work focuses on protecting and interpreting the exceptional geological heritage of the Carnic Alps, which record nearly 500 million years of Earth history, and on promoting geotourism, environmental education, and regional development. The geopark itself is one of the most geologically significant areas in the Eastern Alps, known for its fossil-rich sedimentary sequences, the Carnic Fault, and the Permian-Triassic boundary exposures. The association coordinates a wide range of activities, including guided geological hikes, exhibitions at the Geopark Centre, research projects, publications, and events such as the Long Night of Museums and Tag des Denkmals. It also maintains a network of geosites and educational trails across the region. As a non-profit entity, the association relies on public funding, partnerships with municipalities, universities, and tourism boards, and volunteer engagement. It is part of the global UNESCO Global Geoparks network, which recognises territories of international geological significance. The association's bilingual (German/Italian) operations reflect the cross-border nature of the geopark and its commitment to international cooperation. The official website provides information on the geopark's overview, centre, news, arrival, staff, newsletter, publications, activities, projects, geology, research, and press materials. It also highlights upcoming events and ongoing research, such as the mysterious fossil dubbed 'Wurm' that has occupied the geopark since its early days.

The Carnic Alps Geopark was established to protect and promote the geological heritage of the Carnic Alps, a mountain range along the border between Austria and Italy. The non-profit association Gemeinnütziger Verein GeoPark Karnische Alpen was founded to manage the geopark, with its headquarters in Kötschach-Mauthen, Carinthia. The geopark received national recognition in Austria and Italy and later became part of the European and UNESCO Global Geoparks networks. The association has been active in developing educational programs, geotourism infrastructure, and research initiatives. Its website, powered by TYPO3 and designed by abaton GmbH, has been online since at least 2007, indicating the association's long-standing presence. Over the years, the geopark has hosted numerous events, including guided tours to the Pittersberg castle ruins and lectures on extreme natural events in the Gailtal and Carnia regions. A notable ongoing project is the study of a mysterious fossil, referred to as 'Wurm', which has been a subject of interest since the geopark's early days.

• 2007

  Website online, powered by TYPO3 and designed by abaton GmbH

Non-profit, cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark management and geotourism promotion.

• Geopark Centre

  Visitor and educational centre in Kötschach-Mauthen

• Guided geological tours

  Tours to geosites such as the Pittersberg castle ruins

• Publications

  Books, brochures, and educational materials on geology

1. 1Geopark Karnische Alpen: Startseitegeopark-karnische-alpen.at
2. 2Wikidata: Gemeinnütziger Verein GeoPark Karnische Alpenwikidata.org