Environment and Climate Change
December 6, 2016
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change:
Mistaken Point Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honorable House today and share that earlier this year, the coastline of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This is the first provincially-managed World Heritage Site in Newfoundland and Labrador and the fourth ‘jewel’ in our crown of UNESCO Sites in our province.
Mistaken Point is home to the world’s oldest, large, complex multicellular fossils, representing the remains of soft-bodied creatures that lived 560 to 580 million years ago. Located on the south coast of the Avalon Peninsula, this is the place in the world where there is evidence of “when life got big.”
Mr. Speaker, World Heritage Inscription would not have been possible without the dedication of the people of Portugal Cove South and other communities on the Southern Avalon, Dr. Guy Narbonne, Dr. Richard Thomas, the Mistaken Point Ambassadors, Fossil Guardians, as well as the commitment and support from Provincial Government staff, and the Federal Government represented by Parks Canada. This was truly a celebration of cooperation between the community, academia and government.
Because of their efforts, Mistaken Point now counts itself amongst iconic international company – such as the Galápagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Mistaken Point now stands toe-to-toe with other international natural treasures in terms of its Outstanding Universal Value to humanity. Since the announcement, our government has rolled out our plan for additional staff and infrastructure support.
Mr. Speaker, World Heritage Status ensures that this site will be protected and available for future generations to study and discover, of which I know we are all collectively very proud.
Thank you.
2016 12 06 2:15 p.m.