Conservation

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, the strategic management framework for the World Heritage Site shared by all stakeholders.

Over the next 4-5 years, the Jurassic Coast Trust will be prioritising the following areas of work:

• 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 life on a World Heritage Site

• 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 that 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 partners to grow their understanding of the WHS

• Make the Jurassic Coast Trust carbon neutral by 2025

Examples of current work in this area: 

• Read more about recent and ongoing Conservation Case Studies from across the World Heritage Site

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 the ‘String of Pearls’ network of Jurassic Coast museums and visitor centres, in order to share best practice and project ideas

Examples of current work in this area:

• Follow our JurassicCoastScience Instagram account for regular content relating to the science of our World Heritage Site

• Subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos on a range of topics relating to the Jurassic Coast 

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: 

• Improve public access to and engagement with fossils through programming, 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 of current work in this area: 

• The Jurassic Coast Collection, which aims to aims to identify and record fossils that demonstrate the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.

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 Site

• Promote responsible behaviour along the WHS

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

• Embed equality, diversity and inclusion practises across JCT work-streams

• Demonstrate the value of the WHS through socio-economic research

• Recognise and promote health and wellbeing benefits of the WHS

Examples of current work in this area: 

• Helping to increase access, diversity and social inclusion on the Jurassic Coast

• Our Jurassic Coast Fossil Wardens

• Maintaining support for the management of the West Dorset and Undercliffs Fossil Codes 

Growing the Jurassic Coast Trust

The Jurassic Coast Trust must secure its future in order to continue its necessary charitable work.

You can help us by joining us as a Member, a Business Partner, or an Ambassador.

You can also sign up to our mailing list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We are going to: 

• Promote sustainable tourism practises for visitors and businesses

• Expand and improve the tourism-related services we offer

• Develop and diversify the Jurassic Coast Trust's income streams

Examples of current work in this area: 

• Our Membership scheme, which includes our regular Time to Inspire newsletter

• Our range of Jurassic Coast books and other products, available through our online Shop

• Our Business Partner scheme, which includes local accommodation providers, visitor attractions, and a range of other businesses who love and value the World Heritage Site