Buruaga destaca Costa Quebrada como Geoparque de la UNESCO
The president of Cantabria, María José Sáenz de Buruaga, has highlighted the importance that the recognition of Costa Quebrada as a UNESCO Global Geopark represents for the autonomous community, a milestone that she has valued as a «collective success» and a «source of pride for Cantabria and its people.»
Buruaga made these remarks on Thursday at the ceremony ratifying Costa Quebrada as a UNESCO Global Geopark, held at the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria and attended by numerous officials and the public.
The head of the government expressed gratitude for the effort and drive of the initiative’s promoters, especially the late Jesús Mojas, the driving force behind the project, and alongside him, Professor Cendrero. She called on everyone to take advantage of this distinction to «enhance, recreate, and promote this regional natural heritage gem.»
In her view, the achievement of Costa Quebrada is a «symbol that represents us as a community and speaks volumes about us.» A project that «started as a small seed and has grown into something very significant» thanks to the involvement and «social momentum,» which has been «distinctive» and «key» in achieving the goal, she stated.
She added that the «magical connection between the community and the environment has transformed Costa Quebrada from a set of geological formations by the sea into a model of collective action.»
«This celebration aims to reflect all the human energy that has brought us here, all the strength of the many people who have contributed ideas and transformed this project into a lever that opens up a horizon of new opportunities,» she reiterated.
For the president, being a UNESCO heritage site is a «privilege» and marks a «before and after» in any territory. In the case of Cantabria, in addition to the caves with rock art and the two pilgrimage routes, Santiago and Lebaniego, Costa Quebrada now joins as a «reference for the region worldwide» and constitutes an example of a sustainable development model respectful of heritage and future generations.
A model that focuses on the landscape, gastronomy, Cantabrian traditions, craftsmanship, historical and geological heritage, environmental values, and the very essence of the Geopark project, Buruaga pointed out.
Furthermore, she stated that this award represents «a great leap forward,» but also a «great responsibility» that sets «the bar very high» and requires continued work as the validity of the distinction is for four years and must be renewed.
In this regard, she highlighted her government’s goal to «preserve and promote Costa Quebrada with excellence and project ourselves outward as a unique example of sustainable conservation and socio-economic development, creating opportunities, employment, and well-being for its inhabitants.»
To achieve this, she reiterated the government’s commitment to this initiative, which was supported «from day one,» hand in hand with the Association and the eight municipalities that make up Costa Quebrada. This commitment translates into the 335,000 euros that will be allocated to the Geopark this year, with financing that will be maintained for the next four years to provide security to the team and the project, she affirmed.
In addition, there will be an additional effort, a series of actions to be carried out through the Sustainable Tourism Plans in Santander, Santillana del Mar, and Suances, amounting to 11 million euros.
As specific examples, she referred to environmental restoration projects in the municipalities of Miengo, in the former Cuchia Quarry, in Suances, on the slope of the Mountain; in Piélagos, in the agricultural lands in La Picota and access to the Liencres Dunes, or in Polanco, at the Tremeo Well. All of this with an investment of nearly 4 million euros.
Furthermore, to give more visibility to this project, Buruaga announced «a strong national tourism promotion effort,» with a prominent presence at FITUR, the filming of the program ‘Volando voy’ by Jesús Calleja, or a new campaign with Turespaña at an international level.
The event took place in the Pereda Hall, where Buruaga was accompanied by the Minister of the Environment, Roberto Media; the president of the Costa Quebrada Association, Ángel Trujillano; the organization’s secretary and Geopark coordinator, Lucía Dirube; representatives of the eight municipalities that make up this area, and around 250 people who wanted to join the celebration.
Representing the Association, Trujillano emphasized that Costa Quebrada’s recent inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network is the result of over half a century of collective work, initiated by a group of «dedicated citizens» who recognized the value of this territory.
Dirube, on the other hand, expressed gratitude for the efforts of the entire team, institutions, and businesses in ensuring that Cantabria has a «Geopark with a UNESCO seal.» Likewise, she stated that the project’s goal is for the residents of the territory to «live better and benefit from this outstanding distinction, based on conservation and sustainability, not mass tourism.»
NEW LOGO
During the gala, the new logo of the Geopark was unveiled, maintaining the letter Q as the central element, around which a graphic system composed of elements has been created that, when put together, evoke a line of urros forming the name of Costa Quebrada.
Additionally, the certificate accrediting this space as a new UNESCO Geopark was displayed, and a video was projected, starting from the identifying symbol of Costa Quebrada, a heart-shaped fossil representing the soul of the territory and its geological and human history.
COSTA QUEBRADA
Located on the central coast of Cantabria, the UNESCO Global Geopark Costa Quebrada covers 345 square kilometers, including 270 of land and 75 of marine areas. It extends through the municipalities of Santander, Santa Cruz de Bezana, Piélagos, Miengo, Suances, Santillana del Mar, Polanco, and Camargo, forming a well-defined territorial unit from a geological, geographical, historical, environmental, and landscape perspective.
Its geological uniqueness stems from a history of over 240 million years, marked by sea level fluctuations, tectonic movements, and erosive processes. This complex past has given rise to a high-value coastal landscape, featuring Triassic salt domes, elevated fossil beaches, and spectacular rock formations that offer an exceptional window into the planet’s geological history.
The designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark not only acknowledges its international geological significance but also the efforts of local communities in its conservation, scientific dissemination, and promotion of sustainable development.
The protected area includes the Natural Park of the Liencres Dunes and Costa Quebrada, the Areas of Special Natural Interest of Pozo Tremeo and the Caves of Pendo and Peñajorao, as well as areas of the Natura 2000 Network: Liencres Dunes and Pas Estuaries, Marine Area of the Islotes de Portio-Isla Conejera-Isla de Mouro, Puntal Dunes and Miera Estuary, the Rogería Cave, and the final stretch of the Pas River.
