TheFirstInternationalConferenceonGeoparkswasheldinBeijing,ChinainJune2004.AtthatconferencewewereimmersedintheUNESCOconceptofGeoparksforthefirsttime,AsNorthAmericans,wetakeforgrantednational.provincialandstateparkswhicharescatteredthroughoutthecontinentandproviderecreationalandeducationalopportunities.