Geological training for tour guides in Geopark bid

Tour guides have been given training to help boost Jersey's chances of achieving Geopark status

Jersey tour guides have been given training as part of the island's bid for Geopark status.

In 2021, the Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark (AJIG) project launched Jersey's plans to become a Unesco Geopark - which would see it recognised as a unified geographical area and landscape of international geological significance.

Dr Yunus Baykal, researcher for the Past Climates of Jersey project, has taught local tour guides and ambassadors about Jersey's "very rare" geology to help boost the island's chances to become a Geopark.

He said Jersey was "perfectly suited for Geotourism".

Dr Yunus Baykal has taught tour guides about the island's "very rare" geology

Dr Baykal said: "These cliffs for example here in Portlet, but also in other places, they are... visual records of past climate.

"You can really walk along, you can touch sediments that have been deposited 150,000 years ago.

"This is really a very rare and complete record of this period that we have in North Western Europe."

Millie Butel said Jersey was a popular destination for researchers

Millie Butel, Jersey Heritage's Landscape Engagement & Geopark Development Curator, said the island was a popular destination for researchers.

She said Dr Baykal had provided the guides and ambassadors with the right "terminology" and "knowledge" so that they could "integrate it to what they are doing already".

Ms Butel said giving Jersey Geopark status would give Jersey "international recognition".

"Putting it on the map internationally to be an outstanding place, not just for our geology, but our cultural and natural heritage as well - and joining over 195 places around the world and having access to that network of all these places as well," she said.