Public Consultation on Geosites within aspiring Jersey Island Geopark

Together with our Island community we are working towards achieving UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Bailiwick of Jersey (the island, all offshore reefs and Jersey’s territorial waters).

UNESCO Global Geopark is a non-statutory, grass-roots, and holistic designation which celebrates an area’s world-class geological, natural and cultural heritages. There are currently 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks across the world and this is the fastest growing network in UNESCO with 109 designated UNESCO Global Geoparks in 28 countries across Europe.

Geosites are special places within the aspiring Jersey Island Geopark that will be put forward to UNESCO as part of the application dossier that we are currently preparing.

Geosites look at the geoheritage aspects of a place and then more practical considerations around access, hazards and ownership.

A geosite is a defined place (i.e. it has a boundary) which can showcase geological, natural or cultural features that are of local, national or international significance.

There are two categories of geosites:

1. Geological ~ focused on the geological – including geomorphological – heritage. Examples of geological geosites could include Anne Port or Portelet Bay;
2. Non-geological ~ focused on the other heritages e.g. natural (biotic), cultural, historical and intangible cultural heritage (ICH). Examples of non-geological geosites could include the Le Dolmen des Geonnais, Hamptonne and St Clement’s Church.

In terms of geoheritage, a geosite will usually have one or more of the following:

• Geological features such as rock type, formations, dykes, faults, etc.
• Geomorphological/landscape/seascape features such as cliffs, stacks, gorges, valleys, springs, inter-tidal reef, wave-cut platform, etc.
• Biotic features such as species, habitats, nests, etc.
• Historical/archaeological features such as buildings, monuments, earthworks, trackways, etc.
• Cultural/ICH significance such as myths, legends, events, place names, language, etc.

Other practical factors such as access, interpretation or existing conservation are considered.

Example: Plémont

The headland at Plémont could be considered as a geosite based on its:

• Geology: classic North-West granite with xenoliths, lamprophyre dykes, classic jointing and erosional features
• Geomorphology: caves, cliffs, stacks, blowholes, boulders, erosional features
• Landscape: the sweeping vistas, dramatic views
• History/archaeology/built heritage: Iron Age Promontory Fort, Napoleonic lookout tower, 19th Century Guardhouse and Second World War German Occupation fortification features
• Biotic: intertidal, coastal plants and habitats, nesting seabirds
• Cultural: traditional fishing, sandeeling, quarrying, historic geotourism
• Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH): place and rock names

There is flexibility when selecting geosites and we are keen to ensure we capture as many ideas as possible, so please do send in all your suggestions or please join us in person.

Representatives from the Geopark Team will be available at various Parish Halls this November. Please use this opportunity to find out more about aspiring Jersey Island Geopark and share your ideas about Jersey’s special places.

Tuesday 5 November 2024, 19.00 – 20.30 at St Ouen’s Parish Hall

Tuesday 12 November 2024, 19.00 – 20.30 at St Lawrence Parish Hall

Thursday 14 November 2024, 19.00 – 20.30 at St Martin’s Public Hall

Thursday 21 November 2024, 19.00 – 20.30 at St Clement’s Parish Hall

For more information, please email: [email protected]