The Jurassic Coast Trust is running their popular “Love the Jurassic Coast Week” again this year from 18-25th June, celebrating the fabulous World Heritage Site on our doorstep.
The Trust is founded upon the belief the coast is best looked after by the people who use it, and that everyone – resident, business and visitor – has a role to play in safeguarding it for future generations. Love the Jurassic Coast Week sees the charity encouraging everyone who loves this incredible place to share their personal reasons for why it is so special.
Vice-Chair of the Jurassic Coast Trust, Alexandra O’Dwyer, says: “The Jurassic Coast is recognised as a World Heritage site because of its unique display of rocks, fossils and landforms which adds up to rich diversity along its 95 miles – white, red, grey and golden cliffs, sea stacks and sweeping beaches. This diversity is reflected in the ways in which people use the coast – some of which are increasingly unusual and inspirational. We are hoping to find out more about how we all interact with the coast and the different ways in which we find it special. From art and sport to business and recreation, there are countless different things people discover within our coast to enrich their lives, and the lives of others.”
“Love the Jurassic Coast” week will feature prizes every day for the best entries to the campaign’s Facebook and Twitter pages, using the hashtag #lovethejurassiccoast. All those who love the coast are encouraged to share their favourite spots and coastal activities through photos, videos and personal stories. These contributions will then influence the Trust’s work around helping people to interact with and enjoy the coastline.
Guy Kerr, Jurassic Coast Community Coordinator explains: “We hear about so many different ways that people like to use the coast, whether it’s walking, cycling, fossil hunting or more specialised interests like photography, running and coasteering. Our 95-mile long World Heritage Site means there is always somewhere new to explore. We want to hear from everyone who loves the Jurassic Coast about their favourite corner of it and how they like to experience it.
This year’s campaign coincides with the completion of the Trust’s Growing the Jurassic Coast Community project, which received a Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 2014 and has since yielded 180 volunteers to help out along the coast, and has provided training for 500 people from Christchurch to Exmouth. 40 expert Jurassic Coast Ambassadors from the project will be helping to bring Love the Jurassic Coast week to life and local businesses will be asked to find ways to join in too, in particular to help with fundraising. The Trust uses its funds to support a wide range of education and conservation projects such as the Charmouth and Lyme Regis Fossil Warden who is funded to keep people safe and informed when fossil hunting. The Trust also runs training days for local school teachers, providing resources and knowledge to help them inspire the next generation of conservationists and coastal champions.
Alex O’Dwyer adds: “Whatever your interest in the coast, whether you live here or visit on holiday, we would love to hear about why the Jurassic Coast is special to you. Not only will this inspire people to get involved and to celebrate this heritage coastline, but it will also help us to understand how we can treasure and support the coast, and the people who care about it, better. So many of us Love the Jurassic Coast – let’s celebrate that and make all that passion really turn into something positive for our World Heritage Site.”
Follow the campaign and get involved on the Facebook page.
To find out more, please contact Guy Kerr from the Jurassic Coast Trust at [email protected] or on 077 6611 2724.
