iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🎉 We are very excited to announce the opening of a new geosite: Mountsorrel Quarry View! 👉 Developed in partnership with Tarmac, the site features two interpretation points covering geology, quarry operations, restoration work, and biodiversity. 🌐 Read more: www.charnwoodforest.org/new-geosite-...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🏗️ Stone quarried from Charnwood Forest is typically used with a rough finish: whether as kerbstones, setts, or stone for construction. 🏛️ This column from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a rare example of polished decorative Markfieldite, from Hill Hole.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

UNESCO International Geodiversity Day @geodiversityday.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

👉 International Geodiversity Day is approaching quickly! 🌏 If you're hosting an event, don't forget to register it on our website, and we will share it with the world! You can also find helpful resources, and examples of events from previous years. www.geodiversityday.org/organise-an-...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

🥐 Breakfast in St. Gervais 🧀 Lunch in Geneva 🥩 Dinner in Paris 🚄 All in time for the train to London 🏔 The perfect journey back from the Chalet des Anglais.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

The Royal Society @royalsociety.org · 29/08/2026

The Darwin Medal 2026 is awarded to Professor Michael J Benton OBE FRS for his contribution to many aspects of palaeontological science, as well as authoring the standard textbooks in the field, popular science and children’s books. #RSMedals royalsociety.org/medals-and-prizes/…

A man in a blue shirt and glasses smiles at the camera in front of a university building interior.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

👉 Our 'High-Rise Hylaecullulus' Geosite at Grace Dieu reveals the amazing story of one of our 560 million year old fossils - complete with a wooden sculpture of Hylaecullulus. 🌐 Plan your visit: www.charnwoodforest.org/location/hig...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

🌙 Oxford's Port Meadow this evening. The perfect place for some astronomical observations (using a cardboard contraption of my own design) #Eclipse

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

📺 You might want to tune in to tonight's episode of Evolution on the BBC - presenter Chris Packham goes on a fossil adventure in Charnwood Forest Geopark...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

It's been quite the fortnight, from welcoming UNESCO Global Geopark evaluators to Charnwood Forest, straight into a mission to revalidate the Molina Alto Tajo Geopark 🇪🇸. Time for a rest!

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

🌍 Last week we welcomed two UNESCO Global Geopark evaluators to Charnwood Forest. 👍 Thank you to all our partner organisations and volunteers who supported the evaluation visit. We now await the decisions of the Global Geopark Council in Oct and UNESCO Executive Board in May.

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

🙏 Please take part in our survey to better understand what the public knows about fossils - it will help us to better conserve and celebrate our planets heritage:

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

5⃣ Our Fossils of the First Animals Itinerary features five geosites, each including a wooden sculpture of one of our 560 million year old fossils! 🌐 Discover more: www.charnwoodforest.org/explore/firs...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

It's been a long final weekend of preparations, but I think we're ready. Charnwood Forest Geopark is ready for UNESCO.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

🇨🇦 In 2022, we launched a sistership agreement with the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark in Canada. This link builds on our shared geological heritage - they have fossils in their Geopark, such as Charnia, that were first named from Charnwood Forest.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

🌳 Geopark Supports Loughborough Uni-Led Project to Open Up Environmental Science for Young People 🌐 Read more on our website: www.charnwoodforest.org/geopark-supp...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

👉 This week our team have been sharing the story of Charnwood Forest at the UK UNESCO Chairs’ Conference at Loughborough University. As we work towards our own UNESCO designation, it was a pleasure to welcome the UK’s UNESCO-affiliated researchers to our region.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

👉 We're looking for new Trustees to help us shape the future of Charnwood Forest Geopark. 🌐 Find out more on our website: www.charnwoodforest.org/charnwood-fo...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Montserrat Volcano Observatory @mvoupdates.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

A message from Dr Graham Ryan, MVO Director, was delivered at the UK-based diaspora-led Volcano Awareness Month opening celebrating Montserrat’s culture, history & identity. Read: www.mvo.ms/wp-content/u...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

⛏ Join the Geopark online, this Sunday, for a very special livestream bringing you live coverage of the community archaeological digs in Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves. 📆 Sun 5 July, 1.30-3pm 🌐 More information and links to join: www.charnwoodforest.org/event/geopar...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

👉 We're looking for new Trustees to help us shape the future of Charnwood Forest Geopark. 🌐 Find out more on our website: www.charnwoodforest.org/charnwood-fo...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

🌟 Our Discovering Charnia Geosite at Outwoods now features a sculpture of the fossil Charnia. 5⃣ This is one of five sculptures created by local chainsaw artist Peter Leadbeater, bringing to life our 560 million year old fossils. 🌐 Plan your visit: www.charnwoodforest.org/location/out...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Richard Butler @richardjbutler.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The extent to which fieldwork in palaeontology (& other research areas) is valued has been in long-term decline, with funding challenging despite its fundamental importance. Will the rise of AI change this given that finding, collecting & studying new fossils cannot be done by a computer? I hope so.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

🥳 Congratulations to Colin Prosser, friend of the Geopark and lately Principal Specialist Geoheritage and Geoconservation at Natural England, on being appointed an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list. This MBE has been awarded in recognition of his service to geoconservation.

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

🇵🇹 There's so much more to the Algarve than beaches. 🌐 Read my travel article for City AM on exploring the Via Algarviana hiking trail: www.cityam.com/portugal-hol...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

🥳 This past weekend Cllr Deborah Taylor, Chair of the Bradgate Park Trust, formally opened our new Beautiful Bradgatia Geosite at Bradgate Park. 🌐 Discover the story of the 560 million year old fossil Bradgatia. Plan your trip: www.charnwoodforest.org/location/bea...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Thank you to Shetland Geopark for hosting us all for this year's UK meeting on UNESCO Global Geoparks. What an amazing place.

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

🇵🇹 There's so much more to the Algarve than beaches. 🌐 Read my travel article for City AM on exploring the Via Algarviana hiking trail: www.cityam.com/portugal-hol...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

⛴️ Leg 7 of my journey to the UK Geoparks meeting is nearly complete... Hello Shetland!

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan, it's been amazing. Now to begin my 48hr journey to the UK Committee on UNESCO Global Geoparks. Wish me luck, it's a 7-leg journey using 5 modes of transport...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

🌳 An exciting few days ahead at the EcoExpo Central Asia in Samarkand, and a great pleasure to see my Maximum Exposure colleague Sophie Ibbotson co-host the opening ceremony.

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Wow. Words and photos don't do justice to this place. 🇺🇿 Samarkand, Uzbekistan

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Uzbekistan's high-speed rail - a fantastic way to enter Samarkand 🇺🇿 Our geoheritage adventure begins...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

My colleagues and I on the Board of Trustees of Earthwatch Europe have opened recruitment for two key Board roles: Chair and Treasurer. If you’re interested — or know someone who might be a great fit — please take a look and share: earthwatch.org.uk/help-lead-ea...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Join me live at 2pm for commentary and coverage of the community archaeological digs in Stanton under Bardon:

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Dr. Rod Taylor @fossilrod.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This #FossilFriday: the new #Ediacaran exhibit at The @johnsongeocentre.bsky.social is finished, and is open to visitors! Thanks to Duncan McIlroy and Robert Nicholls for allowing us to use the artwork and for their support. Come have a look this weekend, if you can. You know you want to. 😁

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

🌟 We're applying to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, and will be evaluated this summer. 🥳 Show your support, spread the news, and back the bid! 🌐 Find out more on our website: www.charnwoodforest.org/charnwood-fo...

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

🥳 On Friday we celebrated Sir David Attenborough’s birthday with a new sculpture and geosite, telling the story of a 560 million year old fossil named after Sir David. 🌐 Read more on the BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Happy Birthday Sir David! Apologies your gift isn't wrapped:

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

An exciting start to the Bank Holiday weekend: having to switch the location of our geopark livestream to a pub car park at the last minute, and then interviewing Time Team's Prof Carenza Lewis 😃

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

In which I shall be occupying the role of poor man's Tony Robinson:

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

History of Parliament @histparl.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

On 27 April 1992, Betty Boothroyd became the first female Speaker of the House of Commons. To mark the anniversary we are resharing this #HistParl article by @emmapeplow.bsky.social, featuring clips from Boothroyd's interview as part of our Oral History project.

historyofparliament.com

A tribute to Betty Boothroyd - The History of Parliament

In today's blog, we pay tribute to Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the Commons, who sadly died yesterday. Dr Emma Peplow, Head of our Oral

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Earthwatch Europe @earthwatcheurope.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

👟🍀 Good luck to our runners in today’s London Marathon! After months of training, our team is taking on the 26 miles from Blackheath to The Mall to support Earthwatch projects 🌍 Harry, Gemma, Sarah & Ellie - we’re cheering you on! 🏃

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Richard Butler @richardjbutler.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Great to see Geopark Argarvensis in Portugal achieve official UNESCO status. The initial development of the UNESCO Geopark was inspired by our 2014 discovery/naming of the Triassic amphibian Metoposaurus algarvensis, which gives the park its name and logo! www.unesco.org/en/articles/...

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

🌍 This morning UNESCO declared 12 new Global Geoparks! 🥳 Congratulations to all the teams who have been working locally for so many years to reach this day!

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Reposted by Dr Jack J Matthews

Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

🇲🇸 Could we build a Geopark in Montserrat? It was a real privilege to speak alongside the Governor and the Minister at this week's workshop in Montserrat, looking at the potential of securing UNESCO Global Geopark status for this amazing island.

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Dr Jack J Matthews @jackjamesmatthews.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Ever get somewhere and wonder 'How am I the only one here?' Welcome to Lime Kiln Bay, Montserrat 🇲🇸

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