Governance

The Jurassic Coast Trust is the independent charity responsible for managing the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The Trust was founded in 2003, following the designation of the Jurassic Coast as a World Heritage Site in 2001. In 2017, the Trust took on the responsibility of managing the World Heritage Site from the local authorities in Dorset and Devon.

With just 7 members of Staff supported by a Board of Trustees, 60 active volunteers and Ambassadors and 250 Members, we are a small charity with a big responsibility.

We work to protect and conserve the Jurassic Coast's World Heritage Site status and to engage with and inspire the local communities that live and thrive within it.

Our Vision is that everyone loves, understands and values the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. 

Our Mission is to enable everyone to have the best possible experience of the Jurassic Coast, whether they want to learn, enjoy, work or study.

To achieve our Vision and Mission, we work towards four Aims, as outlined below. 

To Protect the Jurassic Coast and its setting 

We do this by understanding and contesting threats to the ongoing natural erosion that occurs along the coastline, and to developments that might have a negative impact on the way the Site is experienced.

We also work with fossil collectors, research organisations and museums to enable more of the unique and spectacular fossils from the World Heritage Site to be conserved, researched and ultimately put on display. 

To Engage with people and organisations 

We do this in Dorset, East Devon and elsewhere to improve people and organisations’ experience of this incredible World Heritage Site.

Drawing on how the Jurassic Coast is, or might be important to them, we then act to improve their experience so that it makes a meaningful difference to their lives. 

To Deepen our understanding of, and people’s connections with, the Jurassic Coast

The astonishing Earth Heritage of the Jurassic Coast gives us thousands of stories tell us about the planet, the natural processes that change it and the evolution of species over more than a third of the time of which life has been on Earth.

As custodians of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Site, our job is to demonstrate its relevance and significance, and that of World Heritage status, and facilitate further understanding and knowledge. 

To Sustain the organisation financially and demonstrate exemplary governance

We do this through effective and transparent governance and financial management. Successful fundraising – through our Members, Business Partners and other forms of support – enables us to grow financially, allowing us to undertake our mission.

Good governance of both the Trust and the World Heritage Site ensures the implementation of the Site’s Partnership Plan into the future. 

How We're Funded 

The Jurassic Coast Trust receives some grant funding from Dorset and Devon County Councils, Natural England and the Environment Agency.

The remainder of our financial support is generated from charitable giving, including from our Business Partners and Members, and from the sale of our publications and other merchandise. The Trust also receives grant funding for particular programmes of work.

The Jurassic Coast Trust's registered charity number is 1101134. For more information on our finances and governance, please see our Annual Reports. 

How you can help

To support us in looking after the Jurassic Coast, you can:

• Become a Member

• Join Us as a Business Partner 

• Volunteer with us as a Jurassic Coast Ambassador

• Purchase one of our books or other products, or book on to one of our events, through our online Shop

To stay in touch with us and hear our news, sign up to our emailing list, and follow the Jurassic Coast Trust on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to check our Blog for any active job vacancies.

Jurassic Coast Trust Staff Team

Our staff team are based at our office near Dorchester. For details on our team members and their roles, please see our Staff page.

You can also see Contact Us for ways of getting in touch.

Trustees and Patrons

The Jurassic Coast Trust is run by a Board of Trustees. We are all passionate about the Jurassic Coast and give our time voluntarily to oversee the running of our charity, to shape its direction, keep it on track and to work with our colleagues and partners towards our shared ambitions.