A reception is being held this evening to welcome UNESCO evaluators who are visiting the Bonavista Peninsula as part of efforts to have the region declared a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Among the selling points are the area’s natural beauty, it’s unique geophysical attributes that include fossils from the very earliest known lifeforms on Earth, and it’s culture significance.
Also on hand will be Jack Matthews of Oxford University, who was among a team of researchers who discovered the impression of a creature near Port Union that included the first known fossilized muscle tissue.
Matthews says the rocks here contain the earliest evidence of the transition from plant to animal life.
He says eastern Newfoundland, including Port Union and Mistaken Point, is the place to go to see fossils from that very early period – dating back 565 million years.
The Discovery Aspiring Global Geopark applied for official designation in November. Recommendations on applications will occur in Sepember with the decision due in April of next year.
A reception is being held this evening at 6:00 at the Garrick Annex in Bonavista.
Today we welcome our UNESCO @GlobalGeoparks Field Evaluators to the Bonavista Peninsula. Follow us as we share our internationally significant fossils, geology, culture, heritage and community pride with the world! #SustainableDevelopment #partnerships #tourism #SDGs pic.twitter.com/8xwBpFqo41
— Discovery Aspiring Geopark (@DiscoveryGEONL) July 21, 2019
