About
What’s a UNESCO Global Geopark?
UNESCO Global Geoparks 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. They adopt a bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities. At present, there are 177 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 46 countries and the list is growing, The Cross-Channel Geopark will be applying for UNESCO status in late 2024 and will be the first Cross-Border Global Geopark connected by a marine area.
Geodiversity: Biodiversity’s Silent Partner
Geodiversity is all around you. In the Cross-Channel Geopark it’s in the soaring chalk cliffs on both sides of the Channel and the intimate microhabitats of rockpools beneath them. It’s the foundation of ancient bluebell woods, wildflower-rich chalk grassland, farmland and vineyards, the expansive rolling views.
It all starts with what is under our feet from millions of years ago.
‘Geodiversity is all around you. It is all the parts of nature that aren’t alive; including everything from minerals and fossils… and spectacular landscapes.’
Sustainable Tourism
Geodiversity is a hugely underdeveloped angle in terms of sustainable tourism and our understanding of our environment. There is lots of potential to develop new nature-based experiences to benefit local communities and economies for example nature walks, geocaching, and farm stays.
