N.B. group to pitch geopark idea

A Saint John group is gaining momentum to create North America's first UNESCO geopark, with the province contributing additional funding to the cause.

The New Brunswick provincial government has agreed to give the Stonehammer Geopark committee $35,000 for a trip to Malaysia to pitch the idea during the international UNESCO conference on geoparks.

"I've always believed that you only get one chance to make a first impression and we want to make a good solid one," said committee chair Bill Merrifield.

Geopark is a term used to describe a section of land given special geological heritage designation. There are 64 geoparks in the world in such countries as Italy, Norway and Iran.

'We have over one billion years of stories here in the Saint John and southern New Brunswick area from a geological point of view.' Bill Merrifield, Stonehammer Geopark committee chair

The Saint John group wants a geopark designation for the area extending from Lepreau Falls to the Fundy trail and inland to such sites as the Norton Fossil Field.

The designation would highlight important geological features and the stories related to them.In order to get the project up andrunning,the group needs the United Nations' approval through UNESCO.

Merrifield is optimistic. "We have over one billion years of stories here in the Saint John and southern New Brunswick area from a geological point of view," he said.

"But we also have an overlay of cultural and social activity that's second to none. Anybody who's been a tourist here, or who lives in the midst of it, knows that well."

Designation would attract tourists

The province donated $25,000 in October to help the committee put a plan together and another $35,000 this week so the group can showcase why it thinks UNESCO should give the region geopark status.

It's a "wonderful opportunity," said Energy Minister Jack Keir. "I think we saw the value right away not only to specifically tourism, but that eco-friendly tourism experience that folks are looking for and plan their vacations around now," he said.

"And I think getting this geopark designation would certainly provide the greater Saint John area an additional tool in the products they offer to attract tourists."

Andrew Beckett, deputy city manager for Saint John and acting director for Tourism Saint John, agrees.

"Given the competitive nature of the tourism industry, you have to differentiate yourself and to highlight different aspects of the community ... and create greater opportunity to attract people who would be interested in exploring further the natural beauty that we have in this area."

The Saint John geopark proposal will be presented to UNESCO in Langkawi, Malaysia, in mid-April.

Merrifield expects a decision by the fall.