Building an UNESCO geopark in Charnwood Forest

Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest is home to a wide variety of internationally significant geoheritage, including some of the oldest animal fossils in the world; the type locality for a rare mineral, and several sites with unique and unexplained mineralisation processes. In addition, the area has more than 200 years of geological research, and 2000 years of quarrying history. This presentation will outline the work that is being done by Charnwood Forest Geopark to conserve and celebrate this geoheritage, and the future plans to designate the region as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The talk will also discuss opportunities for collaboration, including in public engagement, research, teaching, and sustainable economic development.