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Two students from ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ (ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥) Leicester have travelled to Japan as part of a fact-finding mission to bolster Charnwood Forest’s application to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Becky Wilson and Natalia Stachowiak set off on 5,000 mile journey to the city of Nagaoka to learn about Japan’s cultural attitude towards sustainability, and explore the nearby Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark.

The pair, who both volunteer at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥’s United Nations Academic Impact Hub (UNAI) for SDG 11, were investigating how the country protects its geological heritage and educates visitors about the region’s importance.

Their findings will now be fed into the National Forest’s application for Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest to receive UNESCO Global Geopark status, which will be submitted later this year.

Charnwood Forest boasts 600 million years of geological history and is home to some of the world’s oldest animal fossils, including the earliest known animal predator called Auroralumina Attenboroughii I, named in honour of Sir David Attenborough.

It’s seeking UNESCO recognition to protect its unique geology and use the status to drive an increase in sustainable development, tourism and education.

Natalia, a former ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ SDG Hub employee who’s hoping to secure a PhD at the university, said: “Having UNESCO Global Geopark status brought so many benefits to the Nagaoka region. There was increased tourism, but also the preservation of the area through the status is something to be celebrated. I look forward to sharing our learning with Charnwood Forest Geopark.” 

A Geopark is an area of important geological features, such as mountains, valleys, fossils and mineral veins, which can be studied to help scientists understand Earth’s history.

To achieve UNESCO Global status, the area must demonstrate it has geological heritage of international value, its geological heritage is connected with the country’s cultural heritage and is used for educational purposes, and have a comprehensive management plan.

Becky and Natalia’s research trip to Japan was funded by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, which seeks to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the UK and Japan in a number of fields, including sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As the hub chair for SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Becky and Natalia were able to use ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥’s relationship with the former UNAI Hub for SDG 9, the University of Nagaoka, to produce the research.

Becky, who is starting her Master’s in Psychology after graduating in Travel and Tourism, said: “We learned so much about the UNESCO geopark and its benefits to society. Furthermore, we learned about Japanese attitudes to sustainability.

“Things like dropping litter in open parks are culturally frowned upon. There were very few bins, yet no litter. The expectation is you take your mess away with you. That what just one small thing from many that the UK could learn so much from.”

There are currently 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 50 countries, each hosting internationally significant geological features that communities use to support education work and growing the local economy in a sustainable way.

Charnwood Forest’s bid focuses on the 560 million year old fossils found in the Geopark, which tell the story of the rise of the first animals on planet Earth.

Dr Jack Matthews, Charnwood Forest Geopark’s Geoheritage Officer said “As we take our next steps towards UNESCO status, it is inspiring to learn from existing UNESCO Global Geoparks around the world. By partnering with ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ on projects like this, we can make sure our application is as strong as possible, and support the sustainable growth of our local economy in new and innovative ways”.