Me: *Ferments pressed grapes* Every fruit fly in Oxfordshire:

⭐ We recently announced our official 100 Treasures of Charnwood Forest featuring famous sites and forgotten artefacts from across the Geopark. 🏺 What's included from your community? Take a look and explore 600 million years of history! 🌐 Explore the Treasures: www.charnwoodforest.org/100treasures/

🇯🇵 As part of our collaboration with De Montfort University, we'll be receiving a report from two students who recently visited the Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark in Japan - this will help to shape our own upcoming UNESCO application. 🌐 Read more here: www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/ne...

🍇 A very productive Sunday. I'm estimating I'll make about 50 bottles of wine this year... all off one vine!

⭐ Today we are pleased to announce the official 100 Treasures of Charnwood Forest! 🏺 Featuring famous sites and forgotten artefacts nominated by the public, the 100 Treasures guides you through the Geopark's 600 million years of heritage. 🌐 Read more here: www.charnwoodforest.org/forgotten-ar...

IGU Seminar on Geodiversity from Geographical Perspectives 2025

Frank was a lovely man who freely gave his time and knowledge to support the Geopark. He will be greatly missed.

🌳 Our latest #ResearchPaper, ‘Saplings of Significance’, has been published by the @britishecologicalsociety.org. The paper explores how centring cultural value and community voice can lead to the long-term success of tree-planting initiatives. Read the full paper 🔗 https://pulse.ly/8nluc2se60

Happy #FossilFriday from Johnson Discovery Surface in @discoverygeoparknl.bsky.social, famous for its #Fractofusus andersoni, but which also has large enigmatic forms dubbed #Blackbrookia (now considered a pseudofossil). The JDS material is however covered in pimples or meshes not seen in the type.

#FossilFriday Ammonite fossil illustrations drawn by Robert Hooke wp.me/p3ihHu-RQ 🧪⚒️

🌳 Help us care for Charnwood Forest by donating today 🌳 👉 Your support will help us restore habitats, look after our geology, and share our story. 🌐 Its quick and easy to donate on our website: www.charnwoodforest.org/donate/

Very much looking forward to presenting on UNESCO International #GeodiversityDay at this year's #GSAConnects conference during the Geoheritage without Borders Keynote Pardee session.

Unexpected item in the Geopark area... Went geologising in the Quaternary of Charnwood Forest and found a section overflowing with ice-transported Jurassic beasties:

Very much looking forward to presenting on UNESCO International #GeodiversityDay at this year's #GSAConnects conference during the Geoheritage without Borders Keynote Pardee session.

🌄 Do you want to learn more about Charnwood Forest's amazing geological history? We've got you covered. 🌐 Watch our 'Beginner's Guide to the Geology of Charnwood Forest' for an easy and accessible introduction to our 600 million year old story: www.charnwoodforest.org/watch-again-...

I was interviewed for this article. It's pleasing that a Moroccan fossil dealer confirms what I said the law was and clarifies that it isn't 'a grey area'. It's got nothing to do with UNESCO, btw John. www.cnn.com/2025/08/15/s...

🔎 In 2017 a research team led by Charlotte Kenchington published several new fossils discovered in the rocks of Charnwood Forest. 📄 The study included three new species of the 560 million year old fossil Primocandelabrum, which lived at the bottom of a deep ocean.

Happy #fossilfriday from the #Ediacaran of Newfoundland. Slightly younger than our most impressive frondose fossils, but the discs of the upper Fermeuse Formation have their own charm. This block has #Aspidella terranovica, the triangular #Triforillonia costellae & Ediacaria flindersi.

🌍 Did you know that we don't just work in #Europe? In our latest blog, CEO Harry Barton explains the breadth of Earthwatch Europe’s international work beyond Europe and why it is needed. 👇 https://earthwatch.org.uk/blog/earthwatch-europes-international-work/

🥳 A reminder of our amazing news from the past week: we’re applying for UNESCO status this year! 🌐 Read more here: www.charnwoodforest.org/charnwood-fo...

No surprises here - I'm backing the bid 😀

🎉IT'S OFFICIAL!🎉 🥳 We're applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status this year! 🌐 Read more about what this could mean for our region, and sign up to get involved: www.charnwoodforest.org/charnwood-fo...

⛪️ Mount St Bernard Abbey, at the heart of Charnwood Forest, joined our Geopartner Network in 2024. 🍺 The Cistercian monastery produces an excellent beer, Tynt Meadow, which is well worth a try! 🌐 For more info see the brewery website: www.msbtrappist.co.uk

🥳 We're thrilled to be a partner on the new project: 'Charnwood Champions: A Passport to Inclusive Environmental Science'. 🌳 Led by Loughborough Uni, the initiative will transform environmental education access for young people. 🌐 Read more here: www.charnwoodforest.org/geopark-supp...

Another @UnivOxford trip to the #ChaletDesAnglais comes to an end - thanks to all the alumni and students who joined us in France.

The view of the sunset over the Aravis never gets old. One of the great treats of the #ChaletDesAnglais.

A welcome cool and crisp alpine morning, with the #ChaletDesAnglais experiencing a rare summer frost!

The mighty Aiguille Verte, sitting among the evening clouds.

The Aiguille de Varan in the day's last light

📅 Cecil Terence Ingold was born on this day in 1905. 💧 In 1942, Ingold described several new species of freshwater fungi from "a small stream which drains Cropston Reservoir" in Charnwood Forest. More than 300 species of these 'Ingoldian fungi' have now been discovered.

Launched @Lborouni's first ever UNESCO Day & I’m still buzzing with pride. We now have 3 UNESCO Chairs—the most of any UK university. 🌍 Sport as a force for global development (Prof Giulianotti) 🌊 Data-driven resilience against disaster (Prof Liang) 📖 Storytelling for sustainability (Prof Wilson)

For #CanadaDay 🇨🇦 i wanted to share this iconic #Ediacaran fossil. #Haootia quadriformis which was discovered by the late Professor Martin Brasier close to Port Union in @discoverygeoparknl.bsky.social. The second oldest crown group staurozoan cnidarian animal in the world. Just look at those 💪.

The Chalet des Anglais is open for another summer. 🇫🇷🇬🇧

🪦 Journey back more than half a billion years to our Tremendous Teichichnus geosite in Thurcaston, and uncover the story of mysterious traces within the gravestones... 🌐 Plan your visit on our website: www.charnwoodforest.org/location/tre... #geology #EarthScience ⚒️🧪

On 25 June 1997, pyroclastic flows from a sudden dome collapse at Soufrière Hills devastated several villages. 19 lives were lost, and 5 others severely injured. We remember them today and reflect on the impact of this tragic event in our shared history. #Montserrat #SHV30

Geoparks are all about sustainable economic development. Today, as part of the evaluation of Karawanke-Karawanken Geopark, we met with Jauntaler Hadn, who are bringing innovation to the use and promotion of buckwheat! Geology->Soil->Buckwheat->Yum

Today in the life of a Geopark Evaluator: 🌍 Presentation on progress since last evaluation 🌍 Visit to new information centre 🌍 New interpretation 🌍 Meeting lots of Mayors and Partner Organisations 🌍 Discussing working with other UNESCO programmes 🍵 Cream of asparagus soup

💎 During a Geopark Revalidation, the evaluators are there not only to check that the rules are being followed, but also to ensure that progress is being made. We have a particular interest in new projects - like the mineral treasures room in the Podzemlje Pece touristic mine.

Geoparks are about celebrating all the aspects of a region, and keeping skills alive. At Podzemlje Pece, the lead mine's former blacksmith shows me how to shape some iron - a vital skill to keep this heritage site open.

Its the Karawanken-Karawanke Geopark - a transboundary Geopark between Austria and Slovenia! 🇦🇹🇸🇮 After yesterday's opening meetings, today we are on the ground meeting local schools and visitor experiences

Welcome to Klagenfurt! (But my bag is in Vienna 🙃)

It's that time of year again when UNESCO send me on a Geopark Evaluation Mission. Where will it be... and what will we see!? Follow along...

🥳 A huge thank you to the amazing team at Arran Geopark for hosting a superb UK Geoparks meeting - and congratulations on your new UNESCO Global Geopark status!

"Is the pie fully encased in pastry?" *recieves answer* "I'll have the fish and chips please" #CampaignForRealPies

Time for a little adventure across the Firth of Clyde

📣We're #hiring a new Director of Income Generation & Partnership Development! 🌱Can you help us explore new sources of income, expand our partnerships and grow our supporter base? ⏰Apply by 16 June 2025 🔗 https://pulse.ly/xgbyjobq2i

🇦🇹🇸🇰 Highly recommend the Twin City Liner between Vienna and Bratislava - a great way to extend your trip to another European capital on the Danube

🥳 Today we're very pleased to announce our newest Geopartner: the Great Central Railway! 🚂 An excursion on the Great Central Railway will truly recreate the magic of the golden age of steam. 🌐 You can find out more about our Geopartner Network here: www.charnwoodforest.org/geopartner-n...

🌳 This week we were pleased to welcome representatives of the UK Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks to Charnwood Forest. 🤝 Our guests had the chance to experience the wonders of our Geopark, meeting partners and our volunteers. Thank you to everyone who supported the visit.

Charnia will meet you now 🌐 Visit Charnwood Forest Geopark's Discovering Charnia Geosite: www.charnwoodforest.org/location/out...