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Joggins Awarded UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Status
July 7th, 2008
The Joggins Fossil Cliffs, long recognized as a geological site of outstanding universal value, now has the international designation to prove it. The World Heritage Committee, at its annual meeting in Quebec City, has announced that Joggins will be inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. With the designation Joggins joins an exclusive network that includes some of the world’s most recognizable natural heritage sites including the Grand Canyon, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and the Galapagos Islands.
The designation is the culmination of a comprehensive 18-month review process that began when the formal application was submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organization in January 2007. The evaluation of the Joggins application, which was put forward by Parks Canada, included extensive data assembly, an external review of the nomination dossier by independent experts, and a six-day field mission last October by experts from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
The announcement was welcomed by federal, provincial, and local officials who have worked collaboratively for over 12 years to protect and develop the site and to attain international recognition for what is considered the world’s richest, most representative and most significant Coal Age Fossil site.
“The Joggins Fossil Cliffs are one of Nova Scotia’s, and the world’s, great natural treasures, “ said Premier Rodney MacDonald. “The cliffs provide the best record in the world of the geological history of the coal age, and are truly a world-class heritage resource.” “As a Nova Scotian, I’m delighted with the decision made by the World Heritage Committee,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “This designation will attract not only Canadians, but also international visitors who are looking for unique experiences.” “I am proud of our scientists within the Department of Natural Resources, led by Dr. John Calder, who demonstrated to the world the tremendous significance of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs,” said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. “This recognition speaks to the dedicated work of provincial geoscientists and their colleagues in documenting the outstanding geological features of the site.”
The inscription comes on the heels of the opening in April of the award winning, environmentally friendly, 13-thousand square foot Joggins Fossil Centre, which has already generated widespread interest and has attracted a significant number of visitors from around the world.
“The new centre is a world-class iconic attraction and experience that all visitors can enjoy,” said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Bill Dooks. “We are pleased to be able to protect and preserve this unique part of our natural heritage which is sure to attract new visitors to the province.”
The collaborative effort was lead by a project team that included numerous dedicated individuals from all levels of government, members of the scientific community, tourism organizations, and representatives from the community working with CREDA to develop the fossil cliffs.
“Joggins is a world-class site, with international significance,” said Rhonda Kelly, Executive Director of CREDA. “Now that World Heritage Site designation has been achieved, Joggins will receive the world wide recognition and attention it so richly deserves.”
Jenna Boon, Director of the Joggins Fossil Institute, added “Joggins now joins an elite group of outstanding natural heritage sites from around the world. The Joggins Fossil Institute is committed to protect, conserve, and present to current and future generations the values of this wonderful place.”
Gerald Read, Chair of the Joggins Fossil Institute Board and the CREDA Board of Directors, said achieving UNESCO designation is a tremendous achievement that the community, the region and the province can be proud of. “The new fossil centre is already attracting a significant number of visitors and being designated a World Heritage Site will attract thousands more to Joggins, Cumberland County, and Nova Scotia.”
The cliffs gained fame in the 19th century through the pioneering geological studies of Sir William Logan, Sir
William Dawson and Sir Charles Lyell. They discovered a 300-million-year-old fossilized forest, amphibians and reptiles from the Carboniferous period. The reptile skeletons remain the oldest ever found. Charles Darwin mentions the cliffs in his theory of evolution. To this day they continue to be extensively
studied by paleontologists and geologists from around the world, who have nicknamed them the Coal Age
Galapagos.
Three levels of government have contributed approximately $10-million dollars to help create a world-class tourism and heritage site at the Fossil Cliffs, to enhance protection of the site, improve beach access and safety, and to support of the World Heritage nomination.
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For more information, review the UNESCO web site or contact: Rhonda Kelly, Executive Director of CREDA at cell # 902-667-6934
