In a nutshell...
Funding: Starting at £150,000
Length: ~1 year
Location: Kent Downs National Landscape
Aim: To secure UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Kent Downs National Landscape with its neighbouring French protected landscape, Parc Naturel Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale, and the channel in between.
Opportunities: Corporate visit days, corporate volunteering
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
The opportunity
Securing a UNESCO Global Geopark status will unlock huge potential for Kent Downs National Landscape.
In celebration of the chalk and the channel, the geopark would stretch from the protected Kent Downs across the water and include the Parc Naturel Regional des Caps et Marais d’Opale in France, fostering a significant commitment to a long-term international partnership dedicated to conservation and collaboration.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are established through a bottom-up process involving all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area (e.g. landowners, community groups, tourism providers, indigenous people, and local organizations).
This process requires firm commitment by the local communities, a strong local multiple partnership with long-term public and political support, and the development of a comprehensive strategy that will meet all of the communities’ goals while showcasing and protecting the area’s geological heritage.
This work has already begun in the Kent Downs.
The team works with schools, community groups, citizen scientists, ambassadors and youth ambassadors to study and celebrate the wonders of geodiversity and align their work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Chalk is at the heart of the Geopark and connects both the land and the sea between Kent and France. It will be the only cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark not connected by a land boundary.
The project
Funding is needed to continue this exciting work.
This project offers the opportunity to scale funding up or down depending on the outputs desired by a partner.
The outcomes that additional funding could support include:
- Installing Geopark totems and interpretation boards in the landscape to enhance awareness and visibility of the Geopark.
- Running school climate exchange trips to/from France for school children to collaborate on climate issues.
- Working with local schools to increase awareness and enjoyment of local landscape and geology, and inspire an interest in earth science study and careers.
- Holding “Geoadventure” community events at Geosites to familiarise new audiences with the landscape and its geology.
- Delivering Geopark ambassador training events to create new sustainable tourism skills within the community.
- Developing citizen science research, study and event opportunities with the addition of resulting data to a Geopark story map.
- Holding nature/wellbeing sessions for local community groups at Geosites.
- Providing a travel bursary for schools to visit and study the Geopark, removing barriers to educational access.
- Allowing a cohort of Positive View NEET (not in Education, Employment and Training) young people to study the landscape through photography over 10 sessions.
Key outputs
- A world-first, globally-recognised UNESCO Global Geopark status.
- An international partnership committed to long-term conservation and community engagement.
- Extensive promotion locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Greater access and inclusion for communities in and around the Geopark.
- Ongoing programs of work and engagement, strengthening other projects and partnerships that the protected landscapes undertake.
- A powerful blueprint for cross-border collaboration with nature and people at the heart.
Interested in supporting this world-first Geopark?
Chat to one of our team today.
