GeoMôn Geopark
WALES
The tectonic island of Anglesey includes more than a hundred different rock types and the oldest fossils in England or Wales with 1,800 million years of Earth’s history.
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Black Country awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status
10 July 2020 – London, UK
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There were huge cheers from around the Black Country today as the region became an official, world-famous UNESCO Global Geopark.
After submitting its final stage of the application to UNESCO last year, the Black Country Geopark project group has been waiting with bated breath to hear whether it would be successful. And today, more than ten years on since the project was first conceived and discussed it has become a reality.
?️ A word from Ambassador Matthew Lodge
“With geology stretching back 428 million years, and a landscape and heritage that shaped the modern world during the industrial revolution, it is right that the Black Country is given this prestigious UN status.”
Ambassador Matthew Lodge, UK Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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? Press Release
The Executive Board of UNESCO has confirmed that the Black Country has been welcomed into the network of Global Geoparks as a place with internationally important geology, because of its cultural heritage and the active partnerships committed to conserving, managing and promoting it.
This means the Black Country is now on a par with UNESCO Global Geoparks in countries stretching from Brazil to Canada and Iceland to Tanzania. All of the UK’s UNESCO Global Geoparks have internationally significant geology. But what sets UNESCO Global Geoparks apart is that they are locally-led partnerships that work to support sustainable economic development of the area, primarily through geological and eco-tourism, with activities such as developing geotrails and projects to bring geology to life for people and holding festivals and events. They also organise education projects in schools and communities.
Geopark status recognises the many world-class natural and important cultural features in the Black Country and how they come to tell the story of the landscape and the people that live within it.
In the case of the Black Country, the significant part it played in the industrial revolution has been at the heart of the bid. More than forty varied geosites have been selected so far within the geopark that tell its story as a special landscape but more will be added as the Geopark develops.
Geosites include Dudley and Wolverhampton Museums, Wrens Nest National Nature Reserve, Sandwell Valley, Red House Glass Cone, Bantock Park and Walsall Arboretum.
? #PressContact
Matthew Rabagliati
Head of Policy Communications and Research
UK National Commission for UNESCO
Contact the UKNC
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“Today is a landmark achievement which recognises the internationally rich geology and cultural heritage of the Black Country. The move will benefit the environment and boost tourism, as well as providing more people with the opportunity to connect with the natural world.”
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England
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Discover the new Black Country #Geopark in photos directly from the community.
Highland mountains, ocean cliffs, billion year old rocks and cavernous caves. The UK’s UNESCO Global Geoparks are part of a global network of over 140 areas of exceptional geological significance
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WHAT ARE GEOPARKS
Above all else, Geoparks are about local people, and without their passion and enthusiasm, they really cannot thrive or flourish.
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. Geoparks are areas of exceptional geological significance. All of the UK’s geoparks have internationally significant geology, but what makes them special is that they are community-led partnerships that promote an appreciation of natural and cultural heritage while supporting the sustainable economic development of the area, primarily through geological and eco-tourism.
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A WORLD OF GEOPARKS
Explore the world’s hundreds of UNESCO Global Geoparks and learn more about their mission
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“This is a very exciting time for the Black Country and I would like to congratulate everyone who has worked incredibly hard to get us to this point. We are only the third UNESCO Geopark to be declared in England. Although we’re celebrating today, we can’t forget the challenging times we face due to the pandemic. One positive to come out of the current situation is that we are seeing more people use our open spaces within the geopark, than ever before.
“They have dug into their ancient past to build a vibrant future. The Black Country Geopark takes us on a time machine far back, millions of years, into the ancient climates of Western Europe revealing a land of shifting environments from tropical shallow seas, to cool swampy lowlands and much later frigid Arctic tracts where Mammoths roamed.``
“We finally did it! This is a truly a momentous occasion for the Black Country. I couldn’t be prouder of what has been achieved and I am delighted the announcement has been made during Black Country Month. Our region is renowned for being a driving force during the industrial revolution and this status recognises the importance our geological heritage played at the time and how it defined this area. It also marks the start of an exciting new chapter.”
“This is fantastic news for the whole Black Country and for all the partners who have worked so hard to achieve this UNESCO status. This news comes at a difficult time in the Black Country’s history and beckons great times ahead, we look forward to working together to share and celebrate our Geopark with both the people of the Black Country but also the people we hope it will encourage to visit.”
“At such a difficult time for all of us, it’s great to be able to share some good news. We’re rightly proud of the fantastic greenspaces and rich heritage across the borough of Walsall and being just the third UNESCO Geopark to be declared in England is really special. One positive to come out of the challenging times we’re in is that we’re seeing more people use our open spaces within the Geopark than ever before.``
“We are absolutely delighted to be a part of the UNESCO Global Geopark and get Wolverhampton and its hidden gems on the international map. We have six geosites across the city, both man-made and natural wonders to explore, and with the UNESCO status, our city’s geosites will be worldwide attractions for all to enjoy.”
