Environment and Conservation
July 18, 2016

Celebrating the Province�s Natural Heritage

Mistaken Point Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The coastline of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The announcement was made yesterday by the World Heritage Committee in Istanbul, Turkey.

�Mistaken Point is home to the world�s oldest, large, complex multicellular fossils and it is important that we preserve and protect this unique heritage site. As the Minister of Environment and Conservation, I am immensely proud that Mistaken Point has been granted World Heritage Site status and I congratulate everyone involved on their hard work and dedication in bringing this accomplishment to fruition.�
-The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation

Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve is located near the community of Portugal Cove South on the southeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula. Fossils found at the site are the oldest, large, architecturally-complex, multicellular life forms found on Earth and represent the remains of soft-bodied creatures that lived 560 to 580 million years ago.

"This is a very exciting time for the community of Portugal Cove South, the Southern Avalon Region and indeed the whole province. There has been a great deal of time and effort put into the proposal for inscription by a large number of dedicated volunteers, government employees and funding partners and it is wonderful to see that their tenacity has proved successful.�
- Loretta Ryan, Chairperson, Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in partnership with Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc., will celebrate Mistaken Point�s Inscription on the World Heritage List at an event on July 23, at 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Community Hall, 52 Harbour Road, Portugal Cove South.

UNESCO's mission is to encourage international cooperation in the conservation of the world's cultural and natural heritage and inspire local participation in the preservation of that heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage Site program seeks to identify and ensure conservation of significant natural and cultural heritage sites worldwide. Inscription on the World Heritage List provides international recognition for designated sites such as Mistaken Point and elevates the reserve to a prominent position amongst other irreplaceable sites. Additional information UNESCO can be found at: whc.unesco.org/ external link.

QUICK FACTS

  • Mistaken Point has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
  • The rocks of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve contain fossils of more than 20 species of ancient life-forms, most being examples of creatures unknown in our modern world.
  • There are currently three other World Heritage Sites in Newfoundland and Labrador � Gros Morne National Park, L�Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site and Red Bay National Historic Site.
  • Mistaken Point is the first provincially-managed World Heritage Site in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Additional information on UNESCO can be found at: whc.unesco.org/ external link.

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Media contacts:

Emily Timmins
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 693-1292
emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca 		Loretta Ryan
Chairperson, Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc.
709-689-8994
ryan_loretta@hotmail.com

2016 07 18                                                                                    10:35 a.m.