Management and participation

The Geopark Project started being developed in 2004 by two associations and a local council from two municipalities in the territory, supported by País Románico local action group. This bottom-up project has kept growing and developing in the same way. Las Loras Geological Reserve Association – Argeol – was created in 2006, with the aim of giving the Project legal support and leadership. A large number of local associations are represented by Argeol (Villaescusa de las Torre Local Council, Amigos de Revilla de Pomar Association, ACETRE Association, ADEMPA Association, CLIC Association, Burgos Geoscientific Association, ACECMAPA-Espacio Tangente Association, ADECO Camino de Santiago Local Development Group, País Románico Association, Heritage Interpretation Association). Argeol has been responsible for the Project development and all the activities which have been carried out over the years. This entity is formed by a multidisciplinary technical team of geologists, biologists and rural development and tourism technicians, responsible for planning the yearly programme, developing the necessary equipment and carrying out the activities. Argeol headed Las Loras application for becoming a member of the Geoparks Network.

Synergies and collaborations from local, provincial and regional entities and also from private entities and enterprises were sought in order to reinforce the management organisation and social participation and to ensure budgetary stability and maximum institutional support: 

• Signing of Agreements with the three Local Action Groups within the territory (Adeco Camino, ACD Montaña Palentina and Páramos y Valles).
• Signing of Collaboration Agreements with Burgos and Palencia Provincial Councils. 
• Collaboration Protocol with the General Directorate of Natural Environment and the Council for Culture and Tourism of Castile and Leon Regional Government.
• Collaboration Protocols with the Universities of Valladolid and Burgos.
• In 2004, at the beginning of the Project, the Scientific Committee was created as an advisory body with a multidisciplinary group of significant experts. 
• Collaboration with public and private entities, as well as local enterprises and associations.
• Activities: training courses, publication of materials, Volunteer work, environmental education programmes, geological week, talks, geolodays, landscape workshops, sector roundtables, conferences, etc.
• Volunteerism: the extensive experience of the Project enabled a Volunteer Group, “Friends of Las Loras Geopark Project”, which actively collaborates in all activities.