e Designations ssu Restoration Why Local Site I The challenge of guidance should be removing graffiti from good for geodiversity 29 a giant scorpion track Winter 2007-2008 Accessibility is essential On other pages Growing numbers of geologists accept that dense, dry explanations of our Outcrops – pp 3-7 planet’s deep history are impenetrable and off-putting to non-geologists. Unless we achieve open access – both mental and physical – to our breath-taking Fossil-plant treasure trove open for subject, we run the risk that people who are active in conserving other aspects hunters! – p8 of our natural heritage will fail to recognise the pivotal influence that geology exerts over their respective sectors. Mine hopes sunk, but This issue of Earth Heritage is therefore about getting all sorts of people to records live on experience geology ‘hands-on’. Mick Stanley suggests ways of thinning the – p9 jumble of current site ‘designations’ to make conservation listings more understandable, while Jonathan Larwood explains the benefits and simplicity of Casework adopting Defra’s Local Sites approach. We look at how Kent RIGS Group is challenges for making fossil collecting fun and educational; at how Scarborough Museums Natural England Trust is making geological collections more relevant and accessible to local – p10 communities; and at how the landscape’s story is being conveyed in Skye and Lochalsh. In our developing network of Geoparks in the UK, people are again Making sense of the designations being placed at the heart of the work. The essence of the Clwydian Range AONB puzzle – p12 Local Geodiversity Action Plan is to make all geoconservation activities partnership- and people-based. In the embryonic Anglesey Geopark, efforts Why Local Sites guidance is good for centre on providing better information, and access for those with disabilities. geology – p14 We believe these articles will give you food for thought and action. Taking the sting out of In 2008, Earth Heritage celebrates 40 years as the forum for all those involved scorpion damage – p16 in geological conservation. As always, we want to hear your views and learn about new projects. To contribute, please contact your nearest editor (below). Dinosaur Coast rolls out geology for everyone – p18 Managing Editor Exposing secrets in the landscape – p19 Earth Heritage is a twice-yearly magazine produced by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, A first Earth Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. The Geopark heritage voluntary geoconservation sector is a for major contributor. We would like to thank all those who have assisted with the preparation Africa? of the magazine. However, the opinions expressed by the contributors are not necessarily – p20 those of the above organisations. A database listing all the articles carried up to issue 17 is available on CD. Contact any member of the editorial board. Fossil Grove to be an undercover RIGS This and several recent back issues of Earth Heritage can be downloaded as pdf files on – p22 the Web at: www.seaburysalmon.com/Earth Heritage.html Offers of articles should be directed to the relevant members of the Sill edges climbers closer to geological editorial board, who are: knowledge – p24 Managing Editor STEWART CAMPBELL , Countryside MICK STANLEY , Geodiversity Publications – pp 25-27 Council for Wales, Maes-y-Ffynnon, Consulting, Park House, 8 King Street, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1PJ. 2DN. Telephone 01248 385693, Telephone 01765 609479 , Cover photo e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Editors CYNTHIA BUREK, UKRIGS Geoconservation Association, DAVID EVANS , Natural England, Centre for Science Communication, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 University of Chester, 1UA. Telephone 01733 455204, e-mail: Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ. [email protected] Telephone 01244 375444, COLIN MACFADYEN, e-mail: [email protected] Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Production Telephone 0131 446 2055, Seabury Salmon, Seabury Salmon & e-mail: [email protected] Associates, The Old Pound, Ludford, NEIL ELLIS, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1PP. Telephone Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 01584 877442. Fax 01584 875416. The Skerries, off the north coast of Anglesey, is a site Monkstone House, e-mail: [email protected] with multiple designations – SPA, SSSI, RIGS, AONB City Road, Peterborough PE1 1JY. Circulation and Heritage Coast. See pages 12-15 for a Telephone 01733 562626, Earth Heritage is free. Contact your discussion of how citations can be made more easily e-mail: [email protected] local Editor to be placed on the understood. Photo by Stewart Campbell 2 mailing list. Get ready to access £430,000 project champions geology a £25m grants pot! The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Herefordshire and Access to nature , a new £25 million grant can span urban, rural and coastal Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust a scheme administered by the Big Lottery communities with a particular focus on £302,000 grant to carry out a Fund and Natural England, treats nature in a making a lasting change in areas of high Community Earth Heritage Champions broad and inclusive sense to take in social, economic and/or environmental Project. The project will run for three geological schemes. deprivation. Applications are welcome from years and is worth £430,000 including voluntary, community and public bodies. matched funding. The programme has three broad themes: G Community awareness and active Access to nature presents new and exciting In the wake of extensive media participation; opportunities for engaging communities in coverage of natural catastrophes and G Education, learning and volunteering; the geology of their environment. climate change, the Trust says it has G Welcoming, well-managed and wildlife- Applications can be made from early 2008 seen a massively increased interest in rich places. and fuller information is available at Earth processes. It is planning to www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/ capitalise by getting local communities Access to Nature will make grants of grants-funding/default.htm to ‘champion’ Regionally Important between £50,000 and £500,000, with a Geological Sites on their doorsteps. small number of even larger grants for – Jonathan Larwood, projects of national significance. Projects Natural England This will involve people in monitoring site condition, reporting any changes Clwydian AONB scores a first and/or threats to the site, using it for education and/or recreation and learning about its unique importance and its place in the wider geology and landscape of the area. In addition, local groups will learn about geoconservation issues (locally and nationally) through training seminars. All of this is aimed at helping local The launch of the LGAP (above), which is the first to cover any AONB in Wales. Below: The beauty of people to feel ‘ownership’ of the sites the Clwydian Range. Photos by Stewart Campbell and Jacqui Malpas so that they can make informed decisions about their future. The Clwydian Range is the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales to be The project will develop partnerships the subject of a Local Geodiversity Action with Herefordshire Heritage Services Plan. The Clwydians were designated an and the University of Worcester for AONB in 1985 and the LGAP provides a training sessions and general support. plan to manage and enhance the geological Two full-time geologists will plan, heritage for the social and economic well- deliver and manage the aims and being of residents and visitors. objectives of the project. The LGAP was launched on 7 December workshops from Arden Early Learning, film “This is a really welcome boost for the 2007 at Cefn Mawr Quarry by Councillor of quarrying in the 1950s and Victorian work we do in the two counties,” said Dolly Banks, Vice-Chair of Flintshire quarryman’s clothing. There was also a Dr Peter Oliver, Vice-President of the County Council, and Ken Hawkins, Chair guided walk around the geology of Trust. “As well as helping us to raise of Denbighshire County Council. It was Loggerheads Country Park. awareness of the wonderful sites we hosted by Castle Cement. Members of have locally and regionally, it allows us Denbighshire and Flintshire County The LGAP will co-ordinate a series of to continue our work of trying to get Councils, representatives of the Clwydian projects. These will include Earth science local people interested in the wonders Range AONB Joint Advisory Committee, educational materials for the Welsh that surround them, to understand quarrying companies, Countryside Council National Curriculum Key Stages 2 and 3; their importance and vitally to take for Wales, British Geological Survey and guided walks and interpretation materials; a ownership of the work we need to do many others who live and work in the ‘Genius Geology’ club for 8-16 year olds; to protect them and share them with AONB, attended. Events included and exploration of the caves and mine others in a sensible way.” demonstrations of cement-making, rock- workings under Loggerheads Country Park. crushing and rock-sorting by pupils of Bryn – Peter Oliver, Herefordshire & Gwalia and Pen Barras Schools with quarry – Jacqui Malpas, Clwydian Range AONB Worcestershire Earth Heritage Tru3st UKRIGS hits membership high Representatives from more than 14 groups who attended the Funds to train RIGS groups in writing site management plans UKRIGS 2007 AGM heard that the organisation had a new record (SMP) form part of ‘Driving Aggregates and LGAPs Forward in membership of 45 paid-up groups and three associate groups – England’, a programme spearheaded by the Geology Trusts, Earth Science Teachers’ Association, the University of Derby and UKRIGS and Natural England’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability the University of Worcester. They obviously recognise the value of Fund. Workshops to drive forward regionalisation of local the annual subscription rates – £5 for groups and £25 for associates.