
Ralph Nichols - Geologist, Secretary for the Geology and Jèrriais Sections of Société Jersiaise. - Read More.
A Geopark is about more than just rocks…
A Global Geopark tells the whole story of an area, right from the very beginning. Jersey which has been shaped by tide and time is in the process of applying to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Meet our Geopark Ambassadors
Ralph Nichols - Geologist, Secretary for the Geology and Jèrriais Sections of Société Jersiaise. - Read More.
Alex Woodman - Young Archaeologists’ Club - Jersey Branch Member - Read More.
Jerry Neil - Jersey National Park - Read More.
A Global Geopark is an area within a boundary which encompasses UNESCO’s values. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. A global Geopark celebrates an area’s cultural, abiotic, intangible and natural heritages.
The Global Geoparks were created in response to the need to conserve the Earth’s geological history. From their beginning, Global Geoparks have been a ‘bottom-up’, community lead approach working towards conserving and promoting the geological significance of an area, through science and education. This is as well as being used as a sustainable economic asset through developing sustainable tourism.
Jersey is a special place for understanding our natural and human history we have exceptional geology, unique heritage, amazing landscapes and special seascapes. A Geopark can tell the whole story and, if Jersey is successful in achieving a designation, it will be a statement of commitment to protect the Island we all love and to promote the landscapes, seascapes and heritage that are important to Islanders.
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) was established officially in 2015 by UNESCO. The network started in Europe and now has members in over 50 countries around the world.
‘The GGN is the international organisation of the Global Geoparks and Global Geopark professionals which is committed to the conservation, management and communication to society of the Earth heritage as an integral part of the world’s natural and cultural heritage, tangible and intangible.
Global Geoparks are tools to conserve and enhance the value of areas of geological significance in Earth history, including landscapes and geological formations, which are key witnesses to the evolution of our planet and determinants for our future and to promote sustainable development for example through geo-tourism and education.
Global Geoparks are living, working landscapes where science and local communities engage in a mutually beneficial and safe way. Global Geoparks encourage awareness of the story of the planet as read in the rocks and landscape. Global Geoparks promote the links between geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, clearly demonstrating that geodiversity is the foundation of all ecosystems and the basis of human interaction with the landscape.’
The objectives of the ‘Global Geopark Network’ (GGN) are:
Jersey is a small Island, 14.5 km long and 8 km wide, located in the Bay of St Malo in the south of the English Channel. The aspiring Geopark includes Jersey’s offshore reefs and territorial waters to the 12-mile limit.
Jersey is only a plane or ferry away. Jersey Airport has links to a variety of airports in the UK and Europe. Jersey’s harbour has an international ferry terminal with daily crossings to France, Guernsey and England.
The Island has a network of cliff paths, scenic green lanes and cycle routes offering a eco-friendly way to explore the Geopark. A popular way to explore the Island is by sea through activities like coasteering, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, swimming, surfing, sailing and boating. Take a look at the Visit Jersey website, or at the Jersey Heritage website for information on exploring the Island.