Public Education in Heritage Conservation for Geopark Community

This paper examines Langkawi's local community's views on their appreciation of the geopark as a tool for heritage conservation. Data were collected through qualitative method using interviews with key village informants and local residents. The results of this study are presented according the five core values established in a newly developed framework: knowledge and understanding, shared values, benefit and opportunities, role and responsibilities, and empowerment. The conclusions point to the needs for public education programmes, and awareness initiatives aimed not only at ensuring community engagement within the development of Langkawi Geopark but also at generating stewardship actions from the community. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.