World Heritage Site Delivery Plan Mid-Year Update 2023

Lucy Culkin CEO Jurassic Coast Trust

The Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT) have undertaken a mid-year review of the key priorities identified in the 2020-2025 World Heritage Site Partnership Plan (the Plan), for the period January-July 2023 and are pleased to share significant progress of the objectives to date.

The Plan, which sets out objectives to achieve the identification, conservation and sustainability of the Outstanding Universal Value of the site, as well as its national, regional and local values, was compiled through consultation with the Jurassic Coast Trust Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) and other stakeholders including landowners, businesses, communities, museums and visitor centres and statutory bodies.

Partners from across the coast have assisted with updating the plan, from Dorset and Devon Councils, the Environment Agency, Natural England and many museums, visitor centres and local communities across the 95 mile stretch of coast.

The Jurassic Coast Trust leads many of the priority areas of work on the plan and is a key stakeholder in other areas.  The full updated version of the Plan, following the review is available here.

Some key areas of progress are celebrated below:

• Securing £77,000 from external funding sources to improve access and engagement with the Site 
• The West Dorset Fossil Collecting Code was reviewed, with some changes made at the request of the principal landowner.  Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre have successfully maintained the West Dorset and Undercliffs Fossil Collecting Codes and their activities promote responsible fossil collecting in many ways. The Jurassic Coast Trust employed an additional full time fossil warden during the summer of 2023, with two full time wardens patrolling the beaches of Stonebarrow and Black Venn.
• A number of the actions and outcomes referenced in the Plan align with JCT 's current work on the Jurassic Coast Collection (JCC) and the Trust was able to secure an additional two years funding to continue this work. In addition, the Trust was able to secure funding to commence the feasibility study into the proposed new centre for World Heritage and fossil collections on the Coast.
• An exhibition at Sidmouth Museum which showcases exceptional local fossils was awarded the Curry Fund Award for Excellence.
• We completed and submitted the UNESCO Periodic Report for the World Heritage Site which reports on the State of Conservation for the Site from 2018-2024. As a result of this, some vulnerabilities of the Site have been highlighted.
• As part of our wider work on the Jurassic Coast Collection, we have invested in a new digital database to share the collection with a global audience and are in the process of transferring this data.  
• JCT launched a new website in October 2022, which aims to engage new audiences and enhance the digital experience of the Jurassic Coast with new content and increased social media messaging and content.  From January to July 2023, these channels had a reach of approximately 930,000.
• JCT continues to work in partnership with Birmingham University and have jointly secured external funding for palaeontological work and World Heritage Site conservation projects.  
• JCT delivered a new fossil exhibition at Lyme Regis Museum, including fossil specimens on loan from supporters of the Jurassic Coast Collection which was launched at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival.  
• JCT provided interpretative content for a new exhibition at Corfe Museum and worked with a local fossil preparator to conserve the dinosaur trackway on display.
• Site interpretation and access has been improved, with 6 new panels, new beach matting and picnic tables installed, including picnic tables for those with limited mobility.

We look forward to reviewing and publishing the next update in six months time.