John Calder, Canada

John Calder is an elected member of the Global Geoparks Network Executive and past President of the Canadian Geoparks Network. He has served on the board of the CGN for the past decade. Dr. Calder has had a long career in geoscience focusing on geoheritage and community development and has received numerous medals and awards regionally and nationally, including the Ward Neale Medal of the Geological Association of Canada for excellence in communicating geoscience to Canadians. He pioneered geoheritage recognition in Canada, establishing a comprehensive geoheritage sites list for the Province of Nova Scotia. Dr. Calder was the lead scientist in developing the nomination and interpretation centre for the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site and later the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, where he served until recently as interim Executive Director. For over 25 years he has been part-time faculty member with the Department of Geology at Saint Mary’s University and is an Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University. Dr. Calder is a committed ally to Indigenous peoples and has ensured the equal treatment of Indigenous storylines and traditions in the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark.