Our work programme

What we do

The Jurassic Coast Trust leads the protection of one of the most precious places in the world – the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Our work is driven by our core aims to protect the World Heritage Site, engage with people and partners, deepen a collective appreciation for the Site’s geoheritage, and build a sustainable future for the Trust.

We also co-ordinate a wide partnership of people and organisations who have a stake in the future of this special place and who are committed to safeguarding it for future generations.

Our priorities

Our work programme is guided by the Jurassic Coast Partnership Plan, which is the strategic management framework for the World Heritage Site shared by all stakeholders. Our priorities are;

• Preparing the World Heritage Site for Climate Change impacts

• Celebrating the Outstanding Universal Value of the Jurassic Coast globally and locally

• Creating a more secure future for fossils from the World Heritage Site

• Supporting our community and local business ecosystems across the WHS.

• Growing the Jurassic Coast Trust

Preparing the WHS for Climate Change impacts

The Jurassic Coast offers an extraordinary store of knowledge to help people understand the patterns and consequences of past climate change, adding context and substance to the implications of the current climate emergency. In order to protect this vital asset, we must strive to understand the potential impacts on the World Heritage Site from predicted sea level rise and increased storminess and emphasise the benefits of sustainable coastal management.

We are going to:

• Seek to understand the potential impacts predicted sea level rise and increased storminess will have on the Outstanding Universal Value of the Site

• Consider climate change implications for the WHS as a key context in all our conservation case work

• Advocate for sustainable coastal management

• Work to help decision makers understand the current and future conservation needs of the WHS

• Support and educate our partners to allow them to grow their understanding of the WHS through engagement.

• Be conscious of our impact in our day to day operations and seek to make sustainable decisions wherever possible.

Examples / evidence

Our work to develop a Protected Site Strategy and Supplementary Planning Guidance which considers the WHS in all relevant planning matters.

Continue to advise on a live casework basis.

Celebrating the Outstanding Universal Value of the Jurassic Coast globally and locally.

World Heritage status unites the geological, palaeontological and geomorphological aspects of the Jurassic Coast within a profound, purpose driven idea – to illuminate why geological heritage matters to all humanity. The depth and breadth of the geological heritage that underpins the World Heritage Status of the Jurassic Coast is staggering. The potential to inspire people, stimulate their curiosity and leave them motivated to explore further grows every year as new research expands our understanding of this extraordinary place. Digital platforms provide an increasingly effective way of engaging visitors to the site and new opportunities to reach out to people all around the world.

We are going to

• Create a rich stream of digital content exploring all aspects of the Site’s OUV for a global audience

• Develop a clear and engaging identity for the Jurassic Coast Trust across all digital platforms

• Support partners to produce high quality interpretation about the Jurassic Coast

• Facilitate a  network of partnership organisations to share best practice and project ideas

Examples / evidence

Our new JCT website and social media channels.

Stakeholder networks to develop a Protected Site Strategy.

Creating a more secure future for the fossils of the WHS

For over two hundred years the Jurassic Coast has been world famous for the wonderful fossils found here. The palaeontological value of this eroding coastline is central to its status as a World Heritage Site, and new discoveries continue to be made almost every year. However, more could be done to improve access to important specimens from the Jurassic Coast, build for them a more secure future, and better emphasise their unique role in the story of the World Heritage Site.

We are going to

• Collaborate with relevant researchers, fossil collectors and local, national and international museums

• Improve public access to and engagement with fossils through programming of digital content and exhibitions.

• Support the management and sustainability of existing public fossil collections

• Address the acquisition and long-term security of privately owned fossil collections

Examples / evidence

The ongoing work of the Jurassic Coast Collection programme

Feasibility and viability studies into a proposed new Centre and Museum for the Jurassic Coast

Continue to develop exhibitions such as those in Sidmouth Museum, Corfe Castle Museum.

Supporting life on a World Heritage Site

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site brings many benefits to the area, binds coastal communities of Dorset and East Devon together and connects us to UNESCO’s global ambition to promote peace through ‘the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity’. The challenge for the Jurassic Coast Trust is to make sure our work helps foster an inclusive and sustainable way of life that celebrates Outstanding Universal Value and helps the Jurassic Coast community to thrive.

We are going to

• Facilitate partnerships and collaborations that strengthen positive impacts on the WHS.

• Promote responsible behaviour along the WHS

• Maintain a lively group of JC Ambassadors and volunteers who can assist with our work and help support partners

• Embed equality, diversity and inclusion practises across JCT workstreams

• Demonstrate value of the WHS through socio-economic research

• Recognise and promote health and wellbeing benefits of WHS

Examples / evidence

• Expansion of our Fossil warden roles

• Maintaining support for the management of the West Dorset and Undercliffs fossil codes

• Coordinate a network of engaged ambassadors to help support our core team in their engagement with our partners.

Growing the JCT

The Jurassic Coast Trust must secure its future in order to continue its necessary charitable work. In an ever changing world, the reliance on public funding is not a sustainable business strategy. The Jurassic Coast Trust must consider its income mix and look for opportunities to maximise income from alternative means, which will then sustain and grow its operations.

We are going to

• Promote sustainable tourism practises for visitors and businesses

• Expand and improve the tourism related services we offer

• Develop and diversify JCT income streams

Examples / evidence

• Develop a local community business membership similar to, but more affordable than, the business partner scheme.

• Develop products and services cooperatively with our appropriate business partners.

• Ensure the online shop is up to date and retailing profitable merchandise, products, and services, that are complementary to our brand.

Read the latest work updates from the Jurassic Coast Trust team:

Spring 2024

March 2024

Proposed Visitor Centre for the World Heritage Site

February 2024