Geopark revalidation visit goes well
Tumbler Ridge played host to two special guests at the beginning of this month.
Hartmut Escher of the Terra Vita UNESCO Global Geopark in Germany, and Miguel Cruz-Perez of the Comarca Minera UNESCO Global Geopark in Mexico made their way to our corner of BC with the purpose of inspecting the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark’s priorities, activities, and partnerships as part of its revalidation. This process is repeated every four years, as required by the designation body of UNESCO.
This “audit” (as it could be described) is meant to ensure that the UNESCO designation remains a mark of excellence for all sites including UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves as well as Global Geoparks; it proves their global significance and commitment to the program on a regular basis.
Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark’s Executive Director, Manda Maggs, explains why UNESCO status is so sought after. “It’s like when a restaurant is given ‘Michelin star’ status—it’s a badge of honour that is only bestowed on a truly remarkable experience when a specific standard of excellence is achieved. People know that whatever is on the menu is going to be worth the effort of getting there and trying it out—it’s verified. And when that badge of honour comes from a third party of experts—in our case, UNESCO—it lends greater credibility and international recognition that marks Tumbler Ridge as a place that is exceptionally special, and has a reputation for excellence equal to other places that share that designation. World travellers—especially those coming from Europe and Asian countries—know that UNESCO sites are always worth a visit.”
“In short,” says Maggs, “the process of revalidation makes certain that we continue to live up to that strict standard, and ensures that we continue to get better.”
The evaluators are given opportunities to experience the Geopark and the community as a tourist while they meet with key officials and partners, so they get a sense of what this place is all about. They sampled local foods, walked interpretive trails, toured the Museum and their research projects, took a river boat tour to Kinuseo Falls, and made a trip to the remote corners of the Geopark boundary via helicopter to view Bulley Glacier, the Monkman Cascades, and the formations of the mountains all along the way.
It isn’t all just fun and food, though. The evaluators have a tough job ahead of them too – their role is to look at everything the Geopark is and does, from its structure and strategic plans, partnerships and programs, involvement in the community, educational opportunities, as well as its contributions to scientific research, UNESCO’s sustainable development goals, and international relations. Everything must be supported by documentation, which is reviewed, read, and discussed.
The official report they create will be submitted to a UNESCO committee for review, and a score will be given in an official announcement in the coming months. A “Green card” means that the Geopark has met or exceeded UNESCO’s standard, and “Yellow card” means that the Geopark needs to address some immediate concerns and must submit to an additional review process, and a “Red card” indicates that the Geopark has failed to meet the expectations and is no longer allowed to use the UNESCO designation.
The Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark would like to thank its partners and supporters during this strenuous process, especially their volunteers, the District of Tumbler Ridge, the Tumbler Ridge Museum, and all of their GeoPartners. They hope that they will be making an announcement with official “green card” status soon.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
