Organization of the Gardnos Crater tourist-

attraction - a small update

Tom Jahren

Rambøll Norway AS

Status

•13500 visitors 2002

•17000 visitors 2003

• 20000 visitors the last years 2004-2006

• 6000 paying visitors in 2007 and 2008

Short history

~600 million years ago Meteorite impact in an epicontinental sea on earth.

1943 O. A. Broch finds a round structure north of Nesbyen in Hallingdal, Norway

Early 90’ties Johannes Dons & Johan Naterstad find shocked quartz

1993 First meeting in the Community of Nes: ”What can Nesbyen get out of Gardnos?”

1994 – 2002 Several meetings in Nes. Guided tours to Gardnos

2002 Project manager (me) employed for 2 years

Main goal of the project

Develop a geological visitors centre in Gardnos impact crater. The visitors centre must be an attractive destination for tourists in all ages and for inhabitants in the area.

And

Establish a permanent organisation to run the visitor centre

Short history continued

2004 New board in Gardnos project.

2005 New information building in Gardnos

2006 Project ended

2007 New company established: “Gardnos Meteorite Park AS”

2008 New building was planned

• Gardnos Meteorite Park AS no longer active at Gardnos.

• Private person running the information centre this summer.

•Guided tours all summer

2009

• New organization under Hallingdal museum, supported by the Buskerud Region

• Employing a new geologist

• Advised to collaborate with visitors centres in other craters such as Lockne.

•Geoparks in Poland are interested in collaboration as an EU-project.

• Hope to have more contact with The University and Natural History Museum

2010

Future Challenges

Gardnos meteorite park need a geologist

• Recruting

• Geology

• School programs

• Information material

Geologists on a permanent basis in the crater

• Important to understand the crater

• Secure the quality geological information material

• Secure visitor centre’s commitment to collaborators

• Establish contact with scientific environment

• Develop program for schools and students

• Further development

• Arrange excursions

• Fieldwork

WelcomeTo

Gardnos!