August 11, 2020, Debert, NS – There are many good reasons for a party, but the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark has a special reason to celebrate. On Wednesday August 5, Board members and volunteers gathered with 150 invited guests to applaud the UNESCO designation which was received just a few short weeks ago. The Cliffs of Fundy has joined an elite group of only 5 Geoparks in Canada and only 161 Global Geoparks in 44 countries world-wide. The event was held outdoors at beautiful Five Islands Lighthouse Park. Our guests enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon and a chance to celebrate, while adhering to all the COVID-19 precautions. Don Fletcher, Chair of the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark and Councillor for Cumberland County commented “A great day and a special thank you for all the hard work to get us to this special event. We accept the challenge and will strive to be the best Geopark in the world. Bring on the visitors!”

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 are established through a bottom-up process involving all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area (e.g. land owners, community groups, tourism providers, indigenous people, and local organizations). They are established through a bottom-up process involving all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area (e.g. land owners, community groups, tourism providers, indigenous people, and local organizations).

Ribbon Cutting – In the Centre Christine Blair and Don Fletcher, joined by members of the Board

In the case of the Cliffs of Fundy, in addition to extreme tides, this is the best place on Earth where one can see the record of the assembly of supercontinent Pangea 300 million years ago, and its breakup 100 million years later within the stunning landscapes that exist today. “The Cliffs of Fundy will be a jewel in the crown of Canadian Geoparks, and certain to take its place among the premiere UNESCO Global Geoparks around the world, not only for its spectacular geology and the strong support of the community but for its respect for the Mi’kmaq people, whose home this has been for thousands of years” said Dr. John Calder, Chair of the Canadian Geoparks Network.

Visitors to the Geopark will also discover stories of Canada’s oldest dinosaurs; of Mi’kmaq legends and the earliest human settlement in eastern North America; and of Canada’s lead research facility for green tidal stream energy technology among the many attractions, experiences and geosites to explore. The Cliffs of Fundy Geopark stretches for 165 km from the Fundy Discovery Site in Lower Truro to Apple River with over 40 identified geosites, presenting many opportunities for tourists as well as local residents to visit and explore.

“As we have achieved this goal, the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, we recognize this is only the beginning; a door is now open to an array of opportunity and potential – potential to grow tourism and increase economic development; to generate pride of place with our communities; to retain youth in our rural areas; to educate; and most importantly, to showcase our extraordinary natural and cultural history that has been kept a secret for far too long,” remarked Christine Blair, Vice President of the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark and Mayor of the Municipality of Colchester.

Special thanks go out to all of our community, provincial and federal partners who have worked with us over the past several years to achieve this important designation. We look forward to continuing these partnerships and developing new partnerships as the Cliffs of Fundy takes to the world stage. For more information, you can refer to our website at www.fundygeopark.ca or contact our Manager, Beth Peterkin, at manager@fundygeopark.ca

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Beth Peterkin
Manager
Cliffs of Fundy Geopark
manager@fundygeopark.ca
Parrsboro (sub-office) 902-728-2141