Geopark In Focus

Prof. Iain Stewart

Thank you for joining us on this journey to discover more about the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, one of Earth’s Extraordinary Places. In this series of interviews, Geopark Patron Professor Iain Stewart explore what it is that makes this Geopark so special, from when the rocks around us were formed, to evidence of early humans and right up to artists and writers who are being inspired by the Geopark today. read less
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Marine Life of The Bay
21-12-2020
Marine Life of The Bay
In this final episode, Prof. Iain Stewart and guests head around the coast and underwater to explore the internationally protected marine environment of the Geopark.   Here the geology has created a wealth of intricate coves, sea caves and quiet nooks and crannies for a huge diversity of life to thrive both above and below water from gannets to guillemots, seagrass to seahorses and seals to whales! The group also discuss how the community of the area recognise the incredible importance of this rich resource and how they come together to help care for it. Featuring: Jess Churchill-Bissett, Local Marine expert and  Marine Management OrganisationDuncan Kenny, co-founder of The Seal Project and a marine medicClare Rugg, Senior Curator at Wild Planet TrustWarwick Saunders, Nautilus Dive & RIB Charters Brixham. With thanks to our series supporters, The English Riviera, Naturally Inspiring, The Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth, and Dan Bolt @  Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark 2020Support the show

Episodes

Marine Life of The Bay
21-12-2020
Marine Life of The Bay
In this final episode, Prof. Iain Stewart and guests head around the coast and underwater to explore the internationally protected marine environment of the Geopark.   Here the geology has created a wealth of intricate coves, sea caves and quiet nooks and crannies for a huge diversity of life to thrive both above and below water from gannets to guillemots, seagrass to seahorses and seals to whales! The group also discuss how the community of the area recognise the incredible importance of this rich resource and how they come together to help care for it. Featuring: Jess Churchill-Bissett, Local Marine expert and  Marine Management OrganisationDuncan Kenny, co-founder of The Seal Project and a marine medicClare Rugg, Senior Curator at Wild Planet TrustWarwick Saunders, Nautilus Dive & RIB Charters Brixham. With thanks to our series supporters, The English Riviera, Naturally Inspiring, The Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth, and Dan Bolt @  Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark 2020Support the show
Caves
17-11-2020
Caves
Why are the caves of The English Riviera so internationally important? Prof. Iain Stewart is joined by Nick Powe, whose family have run Kents Cavern for five generations, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Donald McFarlane of Claremont McKenna College California, who has published studies on Pengelly and Kents Cavern, and cave conservationist Tara Beacroft, discussing their shared passion for caves and how they help us to learn about Earth's heritage and the history of humanity.Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkEnglish Riviera, Naturally Inspiring Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show
Past Climate and Sea Level Change
08-11-2020
Past Climate and Sea Level Change
This week Prof. Iain Stewart is joined by Dr Jenny Bennett, who chairs the Geology section at the Devonshire Association, and Malcolm Hart, Emeritus Professor at the University of Plymouth and Chair of the Geoscientific committee of the Geopark, to explore how past climate and sea level change has left its mark on the Geopark area, the causes of these changes and implications for the future.With thanks to our series supporters, The English Riviera, Naturally Inspiring, and The Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth.Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkSupport the show
Writers of The Riviera
03-11-2020
Writers of The Riviera
Prof. Iain Stewart and guests discuss the long history of authors who have been inspired by the English Riviera, from Charles Darwin, Oscar Wilde, Dame Agatha Christie and many more right up to the writers of today. They explore how literature and culture can be used to improve wellbeing and inclusion for members of the local community.Featuring: Heather Soderlind who chairs both the International Agatha Christie Festival and Literature Works for South West England, Dr. Kevin Dixon, local historian and member of the Torbay Culture Board, and Matt Newbury, a manager at Torre Abbey and author of popular wild swimming and walking books. With thanks to series supporters The English Riviera, Naturally Inspiring, and The Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth. Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkSupport the show
Today's Inspiration
03-11-2020
Today's Inspiration
In this episode Prof. Iain Stewart explores how the extraordinary landscape and heritage of the Geopark area is inspiring creativity across a wide range of cultural practitioners including writers, poets, artists and composers. Featuring: Chrystine Jones, Geopark Ambassador Artist Hugh Nankivell, Composer, songwriter and music leader who was Musical Director and Conductor for Earth Echoes, the opening ceremony for the 7th International Conference on Global Geoparks held in Torquay in 2016.Adam Neville, Author whose stories have been inspired by the local landscape and features.Becky Nuthall, Geopark Ambassador Artist, published poet and board member of Torbay Culture. Nathalie Palin, Creative Director for Torbay Culture’s Great Place Scheme With thanks to our series supporters, The English Riviera, Naturally Inspiring, and The Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth. Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkSupport the show
Early Humans
28-10-2020
Early Humans
In this episode Prof. Iain Stewart unravels the story of human history and explores how the human story is fundamentally evidenced in the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. He is guided on this journey by leading experts in this field, Prof. Chris Stringer, Research Leader in Human Evolution at the Natural History Museum London, and Prof. Paul Pettitt who is Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology at Durham University.Series Producers: Melanie Border and David RandallEditor: David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkEnglish Riviera, Naturally Inspiring Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show
Fossils and Deep Time
20-10-2020
Fossils and Deep Time
In this first episode of Geopark In Focus, Prof. Iain Stewart talks with Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at University of Bristol, and Dr Kevin Page, geoscience and geodiversity specialist and Honorary Associate at the University of Exeter. They take us on a journey through deep time from when the Geopark was bathed in tropical seas south of the equator hundreds of millions of years ago, explaining what the rocks can tell us about Earth’s history. Series Producers: Melanie Border and David Randall©English Riviera UNESCO Global GeoparkEnglish Riviera, Naturally Inspiring Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show