The Joggins Fossil Institute curator in Nova Scotia expressed concern over a 20% decrease in provincial funding, stating that it will severely impact operations and lead to the discontinuation of educational programs benefiting hundreds of students annually. The institute manages the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Joggins Fossil Centre in Cumberland County.
Jade Atkins, the curator, emphasized the significant impact of the funding cut, reducing the institute’s annual operating grant from $275,000 to $220,000. This reduction is below the initial funding of $250,000 received when the institute attained UNESCO status in 2008. The institute, which operates with a core team of four permanent employees and hires around 10 seasonal staff from May to October, will particularly feel the loss in outreach programs that provide science education to schools and community events in Cumberland County.
The funding cut comes at a challenging time as the institute was already facing mounting costs and deferred maintenance issues. Atkins highlighted issues such as an inadequate heating system and the need for annual repairs to beach access stairs due to the strong Bay of Fundy tides. The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage mentioned that provincial grants are part of a broader funding mix and that many organizations will need to adapt to these changes to continue their programs.
The Joggins Fossil Institute is a significant tourist attraction, contributing to the Nova Scotia economy, which saw a tourism revenue of $3.7 billion in 2025. The institute attracts over 10,000 paid visitors annually, with many others visiting the beach for free. Atkins expressed concerns that the funding cuts will shift the focus from community service to revenue generation and may impact future fossil research in the region.
Atkins plans to discuss the funding cuts with Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton and emphasizes the importance of arts and culture in supporting tourism, a key component of the province’s GDP. With ongoing advocacy efforts to restore funding, the institute aims to secure its future and continue its valuable contributions to science education and research.