My Why – Celebrating the Cross-Channel Geopark

The landscapes of Kent and the Pas-de-Calais are not two separate worlds, but one continuous story written in chalk. The Cross-Channel Geopark is a place where the land itself seems to lean forward and say, “Look, we’re connected.” Chalk hills in Kent answer chalk cliffs in France, like old friends finishing each other’s sentences. Orchids, butterflies, ancient woodlands, marine currents, farming traditions, and cultural histories echo each other across a twenty-mile stretch of water that has always been more bridge than boundary. 

At its heart, the Cross-Channel Geopark is a partnership between two landscapes that share the same ancient geology and the same modern challenges. Together, they’re working toward UNESCO Global Geopark status, as a promise to protect, educate, inspire, and celebrate a shared natural heritage. 

This year’s Cross-Channel Geopark Festival carried that spirit into something beautifully simple, a question that got to the heart of why we care about this shared landscape: “What is your why?” 

The answers reflected the same sense of connection as the landscape itself, showing shared wonder, care, and responsibility. 

Why we care 

Many people spoke about how the Cross-Channel Geopark opens our eyes to a shared natural world and a shared responsibility. 

From those who have explored the world’s landscapes for decades: 

“My why is the thrill of discovery. Exploring landscapes, cultures and histories has always been part of me, and the Cross-Channel Geopark feels like the next great journey.”
— Nick Crane, President Cross-Channel Geopark 

Educators spoke about how the next generation is already learning to see the coast not as a divider, but as a thread that binds communities together. 

“Because by taking our students to discover the other shore, they understood that the sea is not a border but a link between our stories.”
— Jonathan Merlin, Paul Langevin Middle School 

For an elected official of a municipality in which a geosite is located, the Geopark is a living bridge between nature and people:
“Same cliffs, same rocks, same landscapes, same nature, same flowers, same animals, same colours — two countries separated by the sea, yet forever connected through it. Geopark reminds us that nature knows no border — it connects us, inspires us and invites us to protect what we share.
Geopark is a bridge between people and cultures.”
— Ghislaine Bages, Deputy Mayor, Wissant 

For creative leaders, it inspires imagination and sustainable thinking:
“We are desperately in need of projects that inspire us to think imaginatively and respectfully about our geological and environmental resources… The UNESCO aspiration for Cross-Channel Geopark has my complete support, addressing at its core the issues of celebrating and connecting people with a long-term sustainable response to this unique environment.”
— Tania Holland Williams, Artistic Director, FAT LADY OPERA CIC 

For local businesses, it celebrates geology, culture, and collaboration:
“Our vineyards are planted in the iconic chalk soils found in this area, and we fully support the Cross-Channel Geopark mission that celebrates the common geology and heritage of the two areas. With a deep love of France too, we appreciate the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that this Geopark promotes.”
— Ruth & Charles Simpson, Simpsons’ Wine Estate 

For farmers, it grounds heritage and everyday life in the land: 

“The attributes of chalk and flint are inexorably woven into human development whilst remaining valuable every day to contemporary communities.”
— William Alexander, Castle Farm 

And from long-time cross-border collaborators, the message was simple and strong: 

“Our landscapes are so similar and our aims are virtually the same. Securing UNESCO status will hugely increase our impact for landscape, people and for sustainable growth across the Geopark.”
— Nick Johannsen FLI, Director Kent Downs National Landscape and aspiring UNESCO Cross-Channel Global Geopark 

“The Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park and the Kent Downs National Landscape have a long history of cooperation. This history is linked to great similarities and common challenges surrounding natural, landscape, human and, of course, geological heritage. 

We had a shared desire to take this cooperation further and to set up a permanent project bringing together our two territories and our two authorities. Geology, the ‘foundation’ of everything, seemed an obvious choice for this project, and so the idea of a joint cross-Channel Geopark was born. 

Although we share so many similarities in terms of history, biodiversity, landscapes, architecture, economy, the cross-Channel link and, of course, geology, we chose chalk as the primary symbol of our uniqueness, and everything that it represents in its presence and use. 

The Geopark is also a wonderful human adventure between partners, elected representatives and local stakeholders who want to celebrate and develop everything that unites us, where the Strait of Dover and the English Channel are no longer a divide, but a continuation of the link.” 

— François Charlet, Director of the Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Natural Park 

From land managers came reminders of how deeply our landscapes shape life:  

“Symbolically connecting our commitment to the natural world, climate and the people who live and thrive on either side of the Strait.”
— Virginia Portman, National Trust 

“The soils above the chalk vary from acidic clays to lime-rich soils, giving this part of the UK (and France perhaps) a rich and variable flora crowned by its glorious ancient woodland with its unique rich flora and fauna. These woodlands are so important to protect and restore to face the challenges posed by climate change.” — Clive Steward, Estate Manager, The Woodland Trust 

Conservation reminds us of the shared responsibility for the living world:
“I support the Cross-Channel Geopark mission because the ground beneath our feet shapes our shared natural resources, from orchids to butterflies, and emphasises what we have in common across boundaries in a changing world. The Geopark recognises and celebrates our common heritage and our shared future.”
— Dr Dan Hoare, Director of Nature Recovery, Butterfly Conservation 

Some see the Geopark as a symbol of shared commitment:

Regional leadership emphasises the global significance and local ambition:
“The Cross-Channel Geopark is of international significance because it celebrates a unique landscape, shaped by chalk and fashioned by centuries of human history, bringing together people on both sides of the Dover Straits in a common ambition to protect and celebrate the environment.”
— Dr Stephen Scoffham, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Biodiversity, Folkestone-Hythe District Council 

And sometimes the clearest truth was put in four words: 

“Because we’re better together.”
— Anna Bullen, Bore Place 

My Why wall at the festival 

During the Cross-Channel Geopark Festival, visitors of all ages paused to share their reasons for caring about the Geopark, writing their thoughts on ‘My Why wall’. Each contribution, a child’s playful observation or an adult’s reflection on the landscape, added to the bigger story of this shared place. 

One young visitor wrote: 

“Because there are crabs living there.” 

Alongside these small, joyful voices were thoughtful reflections celebrating the connection between UK and France, the beauty of chalk cliffs, and the richness of the region’s natural heritage and biodiversity. Each post-it contributed to a living mosaic of voices, showing the many ways people value and care for the Cross-Channel Geopark. 

The ‘My Why wall’ was a snapshot of curiosity, pride, and shared responsibility; capturing the spirit of a landscape that connects communities across the Channel. 

Where this energy leads 

The responses gathered show a widespread belief in the value of the Cross-Channel Geopark and a willingness to support its goals. They highlight shared heritage, shared pride, and shared responsibility at a moment when partnership matters more than ever. 

UNESCO recognition is still ahead, but the spirit of a Geopark is already alive in the people who live, work, teach, protect, and create here. 

The My Why campaign reminded everyone of something simple – this place connects us, it shapes us and it deserves care from both sides of the sea. 

And now the question belongs to everyone who visits, lives in, or loves this landscape: 

What is your why?