Leaderproject “Geopark-oriented guide education”
Here you will find information about the project. The page will be updated as the project progresses.
The project
The project aims to develop a guide education programme to actively promote sustainable tourism and management of the geological natural values in the area, and to be a place for people to meet.
The guide education programme will have 10 places, and we will be offering training sessions during spring 2025. Once the training has been completed, the guides will be listed here on our website as ‘recommended guides’ with contact details and any package deals they may offer.
The education provides an introduction to the Geopark and ready-made concepts for themed guided tours in the Indalsälven Geopark, based on ‘Interpretation – communication that makes a difference’, a handbook for nature and cultural heritage guides. The aim is to engage and inspire those who take part in the programme to think, reflect and develop their own understanding of what is being communicated. We also want to prepare the guides for the business opportunities that the Geopark can create for them, so that we can strengthen the local tourism industry!
We want the project to increase knowledge about nature, culture and geology, instil pride in our region and promote greater cooperation.
The project has four main activities.
Activity 1
Project management, marketing efforts on our website and social media. Compile and, in some cases, develop new source material to be used in activity 2.
Activity 2
Development of training programmes in collaboration with CNV (Centre for Nature Interpretation). Adapt existing material to create suitable guide material/handbooks for the needs of Geopark Indalsälven.
Activity 3
Guiding aids, digital and analogue material. Purchase of printed material: general information leaflets about the Geopark and its visitor destinations, which can be used by guides, but also by visitors and the guides' customers; signs about the Geopark at selected visitor sites; ‘handbooks’ for guides.
Activity 4
Conduct education for our participants together with CNV and our experts.
What has happened in the project?
Preparatory work (June 2024 – December 2024)
The project began in June 2024 with the compilation and quality assurance of material on geology, nature and culture. At the same time, we worked to identify and engage participants for the guide education programme.
Contact was made with CNV, Centrum för naturvägledning because we wanted to work with ‘Practical interpretation for nature and cultural heritage guides’ and adapt this material to our Geopark and our conditions. We also began to develop a nature guide plan, material for geopark information and a guidebook. This preliminary work laid the foundation for the structure and content of the education programme.
In September, Geopark Indalsälven hosted the network meeting for svenska geoparker, where Platåbergen Geopark, Siljan Geopark and the Geological Survey of Sweden are involved. There, we presented the project and received valuable input and tips for our continued work.
January 2025 – Continuation of activity 1
During January, work intensified on finding ways to train our guides. The training management team met digitally for a planning meeting via Teams. Participants included Carina Landin (Geopark Indalsälven), Robert Falk (Ragunda Municipality), Peter Ladan (Qua Patet Orbis), Eva Sandberg (SLU) and Katrin Jones Hammarlund (SLU). We also agreed on preliminary dates for the education.
February – June 2025
In February, we sent out invitations to the guide education course with a preliminary agenda and dates to 24 different tourism entrepreneurs whom we had identified as potential participants.
Workshop 1 and 2 – activity 2
17-18 February and 7-8 April
Plats: Hammarstrand och på våra besöksplatser runt om i Geopark Indalsälven.
Participants: SLU:s Eva Sandberg och Katrin Jones Hammarlund, Carina Landin and Lennart Raswill från Geopark Indalsälven, Peter Ladan, Que Patet Orbis and Robert Falk, Ragunda kommun.
Under den första workshopen, som hölls den 17–18 februari med utgångspunkt i Hammarstrand, låg fokus på att skapa en gemensam bild av geoparkens utgångspunkter och behov. Deltagarna diskuterade vilka resurser och berättelser som redan finns i området – som pilgrimsleder, vandringsleder och rika kulturhistoriska miljöer – och vad som saknas för att locka fler besökare att stanna längre. Det framkom bland annat att många passerar Döda fallet men sällan upptäcker mer av området, vilket pekar på behovet av en strategi för att knyta ihop platserna och skapa helhetsupplevelser.
The discussions also focused on how a guide education programme could be designed. The ambition was to create a training programme for local entrepreneurs and associations that would make it possible to package accommodation, guided tours and activities under the umbrella of the geopark. The guides would be marketed as “recommended” and thus contribute to both quality assurance and business opportunities. The workshop also introduced the concept of nature interpretation, and participants reflected on how facts can be transformed into compelling stories, for example through exercises where different perspectives on spiders showed how the same phenomenon can be experienced in many ways.
On 7–8 April, during workshop 2, work continued on deepening understanding of the process and formulating the geopark theme more clearly. A key part of this was to identify the main theme. "Breakthroughs", which brings together several sub-themes: the magma chamber as a frozen moment of the Earth's internal forces, traces of the Ice Age in the landscape, the dramatic event when Lake Ragunda emptied and created the Döda fallet, and the scientific discovery of clay varves, which provided a new way of measuring time. These themes were linked to the question of what we want visitors to take home with them – an awareness of the Earth's long timelines, respect for the forces of nature, and an understanding of how humans and nature constantly influence each other.
Workshop 2 also became a forum for developing ideas about products and tools that can enhance the guided tour and visitor experience: geo-inspired food and crafts, teacher guides, audio guides, podcasts, maps, reflective walks and tactile learning spaces for children. In addition, the importance of the nature interpretation plan becoming a product for the future was emphasised – a tool for actors who want to work in the geopark and which clearly weaves together nature, culture and human impact. Exercises in thematic interpretation helped participants to formulate themes and sub-themes in a way that can be used both in education and in the guide material.
Together, the two workshops laid the foundation for the guide education programme and formulated a clearer direction for the geopark's narrative. From mapping the current situation and needs in February to defining the main theme and developing concrete ideas in April, important steps were taken towards a joint plan for education, nature interpretation and future visitor experiences.
During this period, a proposal for a new usage agreement was also drawn up to help Geopark Indalsälven quality assure the operators, products and services that want to use the Geopark Indalsälven brand and be part of our networks. It also gives us a common understanding of how the brand may be used. Through the agreement, you become a ‘Recommended Guide’ and will be listed on the Indalsälven Geopark website. You also become a member of the Geopark's guide network and gain access to our shared portal.
Utbildningsdagarna – aktivitet 4
Methodologically, the education has been based on Interpretation – communication that makes a difference, which means that the guides have been trained not only to convey facts, but also to create experiences that touch visitors, provoke reflection and connect with their own experiences. The aim is for those who have completed the education to become ‘Recommended Guides’ for Geopark Indalsälven, and for them to eventually be able to develop their own package deals, strengthen their business and contribute to a sustainable tourism industry in the region.
Participating tourism companies/organisations/associations:
Monique Vermeer, Wilderness Adventures Sweden
Tanja Ehrenberg, Deer Deer Pathways
Jennifer Kristensson; Mid Scandinavia Tours
Kristina Engström, Enjoy Change
Ingela Schöqvist; Bergvallens Stugby
Lennart Raswill; Opp-i gårn
Eva Engström, Ragunda hembygdsförening
Katarina Söderlund, Härdiga träd
Håkan Shüberg, Härdiga träd
Håkan Österås, Tessan i Sillre
Ulf Svensson Ramirez, Tessan i Sillre
Mimmi Jonsson, Ragunda kommun
Robert Falk, Ragunda kommun
Carina Landin, Geopark Indalsälven AB
The education consisted of three sessions, alternating between theory and practice.
The first eduaction session was held on 28–29 April at Hotell Hammarstrand. Here, participants were given an introduction to the geopark, its processes and development plans. Lectures on geology and cultural history were combined with exercises in nature interpretation, where the focus was on seeing the difference between facts and meaning, universal values and the power of storytelling. Participants also had a digital meeting with entrepreneur Anki Rundquist, who shared her experiences from her work as a guide in the Platåbergen Geopark. She also discussed how she worked with different pricing for different types of guided tours and how she used her website to sell guided tours. We also had practical exercises at locations such as Trätojordsbacken, Kullstaberget, Prästberget and Remmarna, where we had our first chance to practise observation and storytelling in the landscape.
The second education session took place on 12–13 May at Krångede Hydropower Museum and Getryggen. The focus here was on working with themes and the common thread in guided tours. Participants were able to immerse themselves in dialogue, interactivity and how to handle sensitive issues when meeting different target groups. One particular element dealt with the right of public access and how it can be woven into the guided tour. During the excursions to Forsnacken and Stadsberget, participants practised linking their guided tours to the unique values of the location, while discussions about target groups and educational approaches continued.
The third and concluding education sessions was held on 26–27 May, based in Döda fallet. Here, the participants themselves took greater responsibility for creating and conducting guided tours at selected locations, including Prästberget, Ragunda Old Church, Remmarna, Trätojordsbacken and Kullstaberget. They practised guiding each other, reflected on their choices and received feedback. The days ended with joint discussions on how visitor destinations can be linked together and how the guides can further develop their concepts.
The education has not resulted in a finished script, but rather in a shared toolbox. Each participant has been encouraged to develop their own guiding style, adapted to their own activities and interests, but with the geopark's main theme in mind. "Breakthroughs" as a common foundation. The training programme has also led to the creation of a network of guides, where experiences, ideas and knowledge can be shared going forward. A knowledge bank for guides containing the material we have used is currently being developed and will be available to guides who have completed the training programme and signed the licence agreement.
In summary, the guide training has provided knowledge, practical training and inspiration. It has laid the foundation for Geopark Indalsälven to continue developing as a tourist destination, with local actors as the driving force and a focus on quality, sustainability and stories that make a difference.
In June/July/August, we contacted everyone who had completed the training course and sent them evaluation questions about the course. The results were very positive!
Recommended guides
We have also sent out right of use agreements, 12 of 14 have signed, and those who felt ready for external marketing are now listed as recommended guides on our website: Our recommended guides.
A good example where one of our participants has taken the step further and offers Guided Geo hike, ”The force of ice” is Monique Vermeer who runs Wilderness Adventures Sweden
We have also published training materials on our website so that those who have signed the agreement and become ‘Recommended Guides’ can access the materials. It is also a place to share other tips, tricks and new geological findings.
We have also created a Whatsapp group where we keep in contact and can help each other out.
Autumn and winter 2025
November
Under hösten arbetade vi med vår naturvägledningsstrategi och guidebok. I november ordnades ett möte med Peter Ladan, Carina Landin och Robert Falk för att färdigställa naturvägledningsstrategin samt bestämma urvalet av material till guideboken. Vi har också arbetat vidare med CNV där vi fått rådgivning i framtagandet av strategin. Naturvägledningsstrategin presenterades på Geopark Indalsälvens styrelsemöte den 12 november och beslut togs att använda den
På grund av långa handläggningstider för projektet så har vi inte kunnat påbörja vissa delar av aktivitet 2 samt 3 då vi måste få redovisade aktiviteter godkända och utbetalade innan vi kan fortsätta med andra.
December
Urvalet för guideboken har fortsatt. Det är mycket material att gå igenom och vi försöker hitta det som är mest relevant för varje tema i vår geopark. Men det ska också vara lätt för guiderna att kunna flytta innehåll och skapa sin egen guidning utifrån materialet.
Våren 2025
Januari har inneburit fortsatt arbete med guideboken, främst utformning och layout så att filerna kan bli tryckfärdiga. Nu behövs lite faktakoll innan vi kan trycka upp ”boken” till guiderna.
Marketing
Geopark Indalsälven has participated and talked about the projekt and the Geopark in various contexts. We mainly provide updates about the project here on our project page.
2024-12-03 Nominated to the big tourism award 2024
2024-12-06 Information about Geopark Indalsälven for Jamtlis board
2025-06-02 SPF Seniorerna Öst-Jämtland
2025-06-05 Guiding Scenkonstbienalens visit to Döda fallet
2025-06-10 Guiding Länsstyrelsen Jämtland
2025-06-15 Artikel CNV stöttar Geopark Indalsälven
2025-09-14 Geology and hiking day in Döda fallet
2025-09-19 JHT Fam trip
Geopark Indalsälven finns också på Instagram. Kontot heter geopark_indalsalven. Vi berättar om Geoparkens besöksplatser, men också om våra projekt såklart. Följ oss gärna!
Our visitor centre in Döda fallet has been open the entire summer and there we have had information and signs about the project. There are also signs outside of the municipality offices. We have created material where all of the Geoparks sites to visit are gathered.
You can also find us on Instagram: geopark_indalsalven
Contact
Carina Landin, info@geoparkindalsalven.se