Perhaps at the first time in our country, public institutions come together to provide local development and conserve the nature under the leadership of a big university by providing the support of an expert civil society organization. Therefore ‘Kızılcahamam-Çamlıdere Geopark and Geotourism Project’ in which institutions meet to perform together is original with its subject and purpose. Besides, it is remarkable by the efforts and sacrifices of the Ankara University, Kızılcahamam Municipality, Local Governor of Kızılcahamam, Local Governor of Çamlıdere and Turkish Association for Conservation of Geologic Heritage (JEMIRKO).

Some geological materials as rare fossils, rocks, landforms etc. on earth are the documents of their formation time and events of that time are assets which should be protected and they are known as geological sites, geosites.

These mysterious formations also named as ‘”Geological Heritage” are the natural riches for their region and unique geotourism elements. From 2006 to 2009, many geosite have been seen around Kızılcahamam during the studies of “Geological Heritage in National Parks Project” applied by cooperation of the Ankara University, JEMIRKO, MTA, General Directorate of National Parks with the support of TUBITAK. Kızılcahamam-Çamlıdere Geopark and Geotourism Project has been developed both to protect them and to provide economic benefits to the region. Although the project has been prepared and applied by the organizations mentioned above, it is based on the “Geological Heritage in National Parks Project” (supported by TUBITAK) which many geologists worked in that project by walking around the region step by step. The organizations which contributed that project should be remembered gratefully. It is certain that the project will produce permanent results only by embracing of local people and supports of nature lovers. Kızılcahamam Municipality has mobilized all the possibilities for the participation and support of the people to the project.