On September 13, 2026, the thematic science popularization and exchange event for the first UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst was successfully held in Guangxi. Co-hosted by the Administrative Committee of China’s Leye-Fengshan Global Geopark and the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, the event adopted the theme “Insight into the Underground World, Jointly Protect Karst Homeland”. It brought together leading domestic and international karst experts, representatives from major karst Global Geoparks, researchers and science popularization enthusiasts for in-depth exchanges on karst geoheritage conservation, geoscience communication, and industry-university-research collaborative development. Invited to join the event online, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark shared its featured achievements in geological science outreach at Xiaotuoluo Ping’an Hope Primary School during the Karst Story Sharing Session, showcasing its heartwarming practices of carrying out grassroots science popularization and empowering rural education.
Caves and karst are precious geoheritage gifted by hundreds of millions of years of Earth’s evolution, boasting tremendous scientific, ecological and public science values. They serve as reservoirs of underground water and vital habitats for biodiversity, as well as natural geological archives recording global climate evolution. The establishment of the first UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst creates a brand-new platform for global karst resource conservation, science outreach and international cooperation. This thematic event aims to popularize karst scientific knowledge, spread ecological conservation concepts, facilitate experience exchange among karst Global Geoparks nationwide, and support the scientific protection and sustainable utilization of karst resources.
Integrating professionalism with public welfare, the event featured four core segments: authoritative science lectures, online connections with international specialists, karst story sharing, and industry-university-research partnership matchmaking. Many top Chinese karst geologists delivered informative lectures on karst ecology, groundwater conservation, records of extreme climate, cave biodiversity and other topics. Representatives from institutions including the International Union of Speleology and UNESCO International Research Centre on Karst participated both online and on-site, sharing cutting-edge global concepts and best practices for karst conservation and offering professional references for science outreach and protection work of geoparks worldwide.
During the Karst Story Sharing Session, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark focused on empowering grassroots rural science popularization, and elaborated on its distinctive practice of rooting in rural communities and launching regular geological science activities in demonstration community schools.
Moving forward, Zhijindong Cvae Global Geopark will keep innovating outreach forms, enriching content and expanding coverage. It will continue to advance karst science popularization, disseminate ecological conservation ideas, tell wonderful stories of Guizhou karst science, safeguard karst geoheritage through public science education, and boost rural education and sustainable community development.
